CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Some high-risk animals at Brookfield Zoo will receive the coronavirus vaccine.
Brookfield Zoo announced Tuesday that Chicago Zoological Society veterinarians have begun administering a COVID-19 vaccine to animals at Brookfield Zoo.
The zoo’s veterinary team developed a tiered priority schedule for the vaccine rollout, starting with species that are known to be more susceptible to contracting the virus. Animals first scheduled to get inoculated include primates, small carnivores, big cats, and bears.
The novel COVID-19 vaccine, which is designed specifically for animals, was donated by the Michigan-based animal health company Zoetis.
“The health and well-being of the animals at Brookfield Zoo is always our leading priority, and the threat of COVID-19 to humans and animals is interconnected,” said Dr. Mike Adkesson, vice president of clinical medicine for the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, in a statement. “We know a variety of animal species can transmit and become sick from coronaviruses. Vaccinating animals is not only important for their own health, but healthy animals help keep humans healthy too. The health of humans, animals, and the environment are intertwined. Most emerging infectious diseases have an animal origin. Ensuring animals in professional care are protected from the virus is another step toward curbing the pandemic here in Illinois, the U.S., and globally.”
The Zoetis COVID-19 vaccine received investigational authorization by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Illinois state veterinarian. According to the zoo, much like the COVID vaccination schedule for humans, animals will receive two doses, three weeks apart, and animals are considered fully protected two weeks following the second dose. The zoo will also continue to work with Zoetis to coordinate and closely monitor its animals throughout the vaccination process.
Brookfield Zoo said once the western lowland gorillas and Rodrigues fruit bats have been fully vaccinated, which is expected to be later this fall, the zoo’s Tropic World: Africa section and Australia House will reopen to guests.
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