State

Brookfield Zoo vaccinating animals against COVID-19

Animals at Brookfield Zoo in suburban Chicago are getting their own COVID-19 vaccinations

By The Associated Press

Titus, one of Brookfield Zoo’s African lions, gets ready to enjoy some special treats animal care staff prepared for him and his brother, Brutus, on their fifth birthday, Feb. 24. (Photo by Jim Schulz/Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo)

BROOKFIELD, Ill. — (AP) — Animals at Brookfield Zoo in suburban Chicago are getting their own COVID-19 vaccinations.

Primates, small carnivores, big cats and bears will be among the first to get shots.

“We know a variety of animal species can transmit and become sick from coronaviruses," said Dr. Mike Adkesson, vice president of clinical medicine at the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages the zoo.

“Vaccinating animals is not only important for their own health, but healthy animals help keep humans healthy, too,” he said.

Similar shots have started at the Detroit Zoo and other zoos in the U.S. Like humans, the animals will get two doses three weeks apart.

The vaccine, made by Zoetis, has been authorized by the federal government and Illinois officials.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

CoronavirusBrookfield Zoo