Russia starts vaccinating animals against Coronavirus

Team Udayavani, May 27, 2021, 11:19 AM IST

Credit: Getty Image (for representation)

Moscow: Nearly two months after Russia’s veterinary watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor announced it had registered the world’s first animal-specific jab, a BBC report states that it has vaccinating animals against coronavirus at veterinary clinics.

Earlier this month Rosselkhoznadzor announced it had started mass production of the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine for animals Carnivac-Cov. The period of immunity after a Carnivac-Cov jab is an estimated six months, reports said.

While there is no evidence to establish that animals transmit coronavirus to humans, infections have been confirmed in various species worldwide. These include dogs, cats, apes and mink.

Rosselkhoznadzor said the development of its shot would help disrupt mutations in animals

The BBC report claims that the EU, Argentina South Korea and Japan have shown interest in the Carnivac-Cov COVID-19 vaccine for animals.