It's not just for humans anymore: the COVID-19 shot is also going to some animals at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Multiple higher-risk species that interact with humans, including big cats, great apes and other mammals are being trained by their care teams to receive a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine without anesthesia.
Once the zoo receives the doses, the order that the animals will receive the vaccine will depend on the status of the animals' injection training.
The Cincinnati Zoo hopes to receive vaccine doses later this summer from Zoetis, a global animal health organization.
Some animals, including gorillas, are being trained for voluntary injection training, David Orban, Cincinnati Zoo's director of animal sciences, said in a release.
Vaccines, including those that prevent the flu, are a common practice at the zoo and some animals are conditioned to receive them voluntary. Other animals, including the world-famous Fiona the hippo, have been trained to participate in blood draws.
The mask requirement for fully vaccinated zoo-goers was dropped earlier this summer, but face coverings are still required in some areas with close human-animal contact, including at giraffe feedings, goat yard interactions and behind-the-scenes experiences.
Once those animals are vaccinated, the mask requirement may be lifted.
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