Subaru’s Lafayette auto plant began vaccinating workers on Friday as part of a statewide plan to ramp up vaccinations.
By next week the company hopes to vaccinate up to one thousand employees per week.
Scott Brand is the Executive Vice President of Subaru Indiana Automotive. He said over 7,000 people work at the plant.
“Our capability with our medical staff is able to take some of the burden off of the state-run vaccine delivery sites,” he said. “Right now we’re using the state protocol of forty years and older. Once we get that clearance from the state to use anyone sixteen and older we’ll open it up to our entire workforce.”
Brand said the company estimates that 65% of its workforce is interested in getting vaccinated. He hopes that convenience will boost participation.
The Subaru plant shut down for eight weeks in March to put protocols in place aimed at protecting staff from the virus.
William Riebe works on the floor of the plant.
“I questioned whether I was going to get it or not but when they offered it at Subaru I figured it was a quick and easy process at that point.”
Tammy Steineman works in the payroll department and said the vaccine likely won’t change much for her.
“I think we’re going to try and stick to eating more at home,” she said. “It’s healthier, we’ve learned.”
Subaru officials said they expect to vaccinate anyone interested within about seven weeks. At some point, the clinic will be opened to immediate family members.