The joint statement said 500,000 front-line industry workers need to be inoculated.

The plant was closed temporarily after more than 80 workers tested positive for the coronavirus.

Darrell Bradfield will also serve on the company’s risk management team.

More than 80 employees at the plant have tested positive for the virus.

Dr. Claudia Coplein brings more than 20 years of experience to the newly created role.

After health care workers, the Institute urged federal authorities to consider including meat plant workers in Phase 1b distribution of the vaccine.

The policy is retroactive to March 1, the company said.

The items were imported without inspection, FSIS said.