High Vaccination Rate Reported Among H-2A Workers

Thanks to a variety of efforts, the H-2A farmworker community has reported a high rate of COVID-19 vaccinations. Dan Fazio, CEO of WAFLA, the Washington Farm Labor Association, said Medical Teams International has been working on issuing vaccinations along with local health jurisdictions and farmworker clinics. And that has resulted, he noted in a vaccination rate of 95%+.

Fazio said they’ve been up front with potential workers.

“What we do with the H-2A workers is, when we’re recruiting them in Mexico, we make sure that they know that the expectation is that they’re going to be tested as soon as they get there. And then, if they test negative, then they’re going to be vaccinated and if they’re not okay with that, this is not a job that they should be applying for.”

Fazio said it’s a system that has worked well.

“Again, it just demonstrates the advantage of the H-2A program, you know, a well-regulated program where workers have a visa and they’re anxious to comply with all the rules.”

Fazio said it’s been a win-win for workers and Ag employers.

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