Tyson Foods drops vaccine requirement

Springdale-based Tyson Foods confirmed Friday that it no longer requires workers to be vaccinated against covid-19.

In a statement, the company said that while covid-19 remains a health concern, it no longer presents the same threat as it did 15 months ago, when Tyson Foods decided to require vaccination. The company noted severe infections have decreased significantly and many resources are available to fight the virus including testing, boosters and improved treatments.

Tyson Foods began encouraging workers to be vaccinated as soon as vaccines became available but made the vaccination mandatory Aug. 1, 2021, when the omicron variant of covid-19 was sweeping the country. Workers were required to be vaccinated by Nov. 1 of that year.

The company noted Friday that masks at plants will still be required in certain circumstances; self screening for covid-19 symptoms will still be enforced; testing will continue for workers with covid-19 symptoms; and the company encourages boosters and will offer booster clinics for its employees.