Veterinarians routinely administer vaccinations to their animal patients. Now, in some parts of the U.S., practitioners – along with other health-care providers – are being authorized to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to humans.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack told AgDay Host Clinton Griffiths on Monday that President Joe Biden is looking to expand both the number of vaccines available as well as qualified individuals available to administer them.
“Veterinarians are currently working in states that allow them to administer shots to be able to expand the core number of people necessary to get as many of us vaccinated as quickly as possible,” Vilsack said.
“The reality is that unfortunately, and tragically, a lot of people in rural America still have concerns or hesitation about the vaccination or may not be able to access it or a vaccination site,” he added.
In early December, the Connecticut Department of Public Health issued an order authorizing veterinarians along with podiatrists, dentists, dental hygienists, emergency medical technicians and paramedics who have received proper training to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) reports that on January 7, Colorado followed suit when Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order—an amendment to executive order D 2020 038 issued April 15, 2020—approving temporary emergency authorization for veterinarians to administer the vaccine. The authorization was to stay in place only until February 6. On January 14, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak issued a directive authorizing veterinarians—and dentists, dental hygienists, and podiatrists—to give the vaccine. The complete article by the AAHA is available at https://bit.ly/3ckVA1O
In addition to some U.S. states, veterinarians in parts of Canada, namely in the province of Manitoba, have also been administering the COVID vaccine to residents.
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