GSA Thanks Partner, Community and Volunteers for Achieving Thousands of Vaccinations For Farm Workers Per Week

Thousands of vaccines per week are now being administered for farm workers in Monterey County. What seemed unimaginable and unattainable a few weeks ago is now a reality. After the fifth Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas (CSVS)/Grower-Shipper Association (GSA) clinic is completed, approximately 12,000 essential workers will be vaccinated against COVID-19.

How did we get to this encouraging place? It was a long road paved with collaboration, determination and a commitment by this community to protect the essential workers providing food for our nation. We began working on vaccination acquisition and distribution systems as soon as we learned about their potential availability because we knew it was crucial to have effective and efficient programs by spring. Now, with the harvest season in the Salinas Valley soon upon us, we can continually vaccinate farm workers as they arrive in our region.

While the vaccine is what will ultimately move us away from this pandemic, farmers and farming companies understand that diligence at the workplace to prevent the spread of this relentless virus must continue. We have all learned a lot over the last year, but it is clear that social distancing and wearing a face mask while on the job are critical components. Ag employers will also conduct regular training for all employees to remind them to follow prevention strategies both at work and at home.

And, GSA’s quarantined housing program will be available for those workers who are sick, have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. While in GSA housing, farm workers receive daily delivery of meals and necessities along with health checks by professionals with Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.

GSA and CSVS would like to thank all the volunteers and supporters who are vitally important in making these weekly vaccination clinics possible and ensure the process runs smoothly and efficiently. These volunteers and supporters include representatives from community organizations, local educational institutions, student/youth athletic groups, local restaurants, health care, ag employers, as well as our city, county, state and federal elected officials and their staff. There are numerous volunteers who have worked at every one of the ag worker mass vaccination clinics giving up time with their families to help, which shows this community’s commitment to protecting essential workers.

These clinics will continue for the foreseeable future as ag employees return to this are to harvest the crops providing a continual supply of fruits and vegetables to consumers.