The company announced that its employees would receive a one-time payment of $ 100 if they prove they received the full manufacturer-recommended doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. Employees who cannot get the vaccine for health or religious reasons can get the payment if they take an educational health and safety course, the company said in a press release.
“We know that the most effective defense against this pandemic is in the form of the COVID-19 vaccine and the continuation of the rigorous security measures we have in place in our stores, manufacturing facilities and supply chain,” said Dr. Marc Watkins, Kroger’s chief medical officer in the statement. “We strongly encourage all customers and employees to get the vaccine to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we will do everything we can to ensure they have access as soon as it is available.”
The Kroger Co. (KR) operates supermarkets under a number of names in 35 states.
The company said it would also spend an additional $ 50 million to thank and reward its employees, including a $ 100 store credit and 1,000 fuel points for the first hour of grocery, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmacy and call center employees.
Earlier this week, the chain announced that it would permanently close two Ralphs and Food 4 Less stores it owns in Long Beach, California to avoid the city having to pay $ 4 / hour in damages.
Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Dollar General and Instacart also announced they would pay employees to encourage them to get vaccinated.
Health officials say progress has been made in the US vaccination efforts.
A total of 36,819,212 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in the US, and the 7-day average is 1.3 million doses per day, according to data published Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.