LOS ANGELES – Nine great apes at San Diego Zoo have received a Covid-19 vaccine made for animals, becoming the first instance of non-human primates to get the jab in the United States, said a zoo official yesterday.
The jab, offered by US veterinary pharmaceutical company Zoetis, is a recombinant purified spike protein vaccine, Darla Davis, a senior public relations representative at the zoo, told the Xinhua news agency in an interview.
The vaccine was administered to four orangutans and five bonobos starting January, continuing through last month.
The doses originated from supply strictly intended for non-human use, said Davis.
“Each animal received two doses, about three weeks apart. The animals that have received the vaccine are doing well and showed no adverse reactions.”
The vaccinations followed a January outbreak of Covid-19 at the zoo’s Safari Park.
Eight western lowland gorillas got the virus, likely from exposure to a zookeeper who tested positive for the disease.
“San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance veterinarians identified some of the great apes that were most at risk and could be easily vaccinated, including members of the bonobo troop and orangutan troop,” said Davis.
The gorillas that caught Covid-19 in January have fully recovered without receiving the vaccine, with researchers assuming that the animals’ immune systems have developed antibodies against the virus, she added.
“The zoo will administer the last few vaccine doses to primates, including gorillas, in March.” – Bernama, March 10, 2021
