Meat processing workers – Phase 1b

This information about vaccines is specific to meat processing workers, as part of Phase 1b of WA’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout. This applies to workers directly involved in the manufacturing and distribution process, where the work is in a cold environment and workers are unable to maintain physical distancing requirements.

For general information, read the COVID-19 vaccine FAQs.

Licensed meat processing workers 

Included	Excluded
Abattoir workers, including attending veterinarians	Retail workers including butcher shops, fishmongers
Workers in boning rooms	Primary production workers, including fishing
Smallgoods manufacturers	Clerical workers
Cold chain transport workforce
Seafood processing

Reference: Priority groups for COVID-19 Vaccination Program: Phase 1b (external site)

Are non-operational staff employed by meat processing factories (e.g. administration/support staff) eligible for their vaccine in this phase?

No. Clerical workers are excluded from eligibility in this phase of the roll-out program. They will be eligible in future phases. You can use the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to see when you’re eligible to be vaccinated. You can then register your interest to receive the vaccine when it becomes available.

Can COVID-19 be transmitted through the meat and food products that I handle?

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease spreading from person to person. It’s not a foodborne disease. There’s no evidence to suggest people will get infected by swallowing the virus in through food or drink. There are no confirmed cases of anyone contracting COVID-19 from food or food packaging.

Source: Transmission of COVID-19 by food and food packaging (external site)