Vaccination of Zoo Residents Against COVID-19 Begins

Residents of the New England Zoo, located in the northeastern United States, have started being vaccinated against the coronavirus, as reported by the Franklin Park and Stone Zoos' website.

No animals infected with COVID-19 have been detected in the area, but the management of the institution has decided to vaccinate them with a Zoetis vaccine as a preventive measure. The zoo has promised to carefully monitor the 'patients' after vaccination.

"We will be watching for any signs of a reaction to the vaccine in the animals," said Chris Bonar, Senior Veterinarian of the Animal Health Department at New England Zoos. The zoo has approved the use of the vaccine.

The zoo houses primates, carnivores (lions, tigers, and snow leopards), and various bird species and fish native to North American rivers. These animals will be vaccinated first. Full vaccination of endangered species will take three to four weeks.

Earlier, vaccination of animals against COVID-19 began in some regions of Russia using a domestic vaccine called Karnivak-Kov. Vaccinations are being carried out by private and state veterinary clinics.