Does Your Pet Need a Vaccine Against COVID? – WFYI

Some zoos, including Indianapolis, are giving animals an experimental vaccine to protect against COVID-19.
But is a vaccine needed for household pets?
Doctor Melissa Justice, with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, said a COVID vaccine is not currently on the market in the U.S for cats and dogs.
She says pets can get the virus, but…
“The good news with our dogs and cats and species like what we have in our homes is typically their clinical symptoms tend to be mild in most cases,” Justice said.
There is evidence that different species of animals are capable of contracting COVID-19 — or the SARS CoV 2 virus — from humans.  Therefore, Justice said it might be a good idea for pet owners diagnosed with COVID to also social distance from pets.  
“We have suggested that if the opportunity is available for pet owners who have COVID to have someone else in the household who is unaffected or who has tested negative to care for those animals during the same quarantine period that they would stay away from people in their family,” Justice said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, based on the available information, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low, and added there is no evidence that animals are playing a significant role in the spread of COVID in the U.S.
Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Taylor Bennett at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter: @TaylorB2213.
 
 

Hoosiers "in the know" are getting their answers from the show that does the talking: "Indiana Week In Review." You may tune in for the news, but you'll stay for the no-holds-barred debate and discussion. A look at issues facing…
The Indiana Department of Health added 6,878 COVID-19 cases to the state’s total Wednesday, bringing it to 1,636,011. The cases were confirmed between Jan. 21 and Feb. 1 It also added 113 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, raising the state’s total to 20,799. The deaths occurred between Oct. 23 and Feb. 1.

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