WASHINGTON, December 14, 2020—In an International Dairy Food Association (IDFA) poll conducted by Morning Consult from December 4-7 among a national sample of 2,200 adults, 71% of adults support companies and employers partnering with public health agencies at local and state levels to aid in the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine to employees. The same poll found more than four in five adults believe food workers—manufacturing, retail and farm workers, among others—should be made a priority when it comes to being among the first to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

The Morning Consult interviews were conducted online with a target sample of adults across age, race/ethnicity, gender, educational attainment, and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. 

The full survey findings and graphical presentations of data may be found at www.idfa.org/vaccinesurvey. Key findings from the survey include:

  • More than four in five adults agree that grocery store workers (89%), farm workers (85%), and agricultural and food production (86%) workers are essential workers.
  • Seven in ten adults (71%) support companies and employers partnering with public health agencies at local and state levels to aid in the distribution of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine to employees.
  • A bipartisan majority of adults support private companies and employers partnering with public health agencies at local and state levels to aid in the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine to employees. 
  • More than four in five adults believe grocery store workers (90%), agriculture and food production workers (85%), and farm workers (82%) should be made a priority when it comes to being among the first to receive the coronavirus vaccine
  • More than four in five Democrats, independents, and Republicans demographics believe food and agriculture production workers should be made a priority when it comes to being among the first to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
  • Two-thirds of adults (65%) report they are likely to get the coronavirus vaccine while a third (35%) report they are unlikely to.

While a majority of adults report they are likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, Democrats and older adults are the most likely to report they are likely to get the vaccine.

Background from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA)

IDFA represents more than 3 million employees across the dairy foods supply chain, including farmers, food processors and manufacturers, food retailers, and other distributors. Food industry workers are recognized as part of our nation’s critical infrastructure by the Department of Homeland Security. Because of this recognition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Program Interim Playbook designates food industry workers for vaccine prioritization as part of Group 1B, after frontline healthcare workers and other target populations. Prioritization will ensure continued operations and supply of food and other critical consumer packaged goods to people around the country. Without prioritization, supply chains could break down, creating widespread disruptions to our economy. Companies within the food industry are seeking to partner with federal, state and local public health officials to help reinforce the importance and safety of vaccinations and ensure essential food workers can access and receive vaccinations as they become available.

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $159 billion in wages and $620 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent 90 percent of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.

IDFA Media Contacts

Matt Herrick

Executive Vice President, Chief Impact Officer

Andrew Jerome

Vice President, Communications