Sarah Bennett
Veterinarians are responsible for the health of animals and play a crucial role in protecting public health. They are typically recognized as healthcare providers or “essential workers” by their respective states, and their work has a direct impact on public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, veterinarians and their staff were encouraged to review and adhere to biosafety and biosecurity protocols to ensure the safety of their patients and themselves. While veterinarians are generally considered essential, their inclusion in early phases of vaccine distribution, such as Phase 1A, has varied across states, with California and Oregon being notable exceptions. The decision-making process considers factors such as the exposure potential and the essential nature of veterinary services. Veterinary professionals actively protect animal and public health through surveillance for zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases, and they are trusted sources for sharing public health messaging about vaccination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are veterinarians considered healthcare workers? | Veterinary professionals are considered healthcare providers by their respective states. They are also considered essential workers. |
| Are veterinarians eligible for COVID-19 vaccines? | Yes, veterinarians are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, but their priority in the vaccine queue depends on the state. |
| Are veterinarians considered frontline workers? | Yes, veterinarians are considered frontline workers as they are regularly exposed to members of the public who are symptomatically or asymptomatically ill. |
| Are veterinary workers eligible for other vaccines? | Yes, veterinary workers are eligible for other vaccines such as hepatitis B, rabies, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), and influenza. |
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What You'll Learn
Veterinary workers are essential workers
Veterinary professionals work closely with their human medicine colleagues in diverse areas such as surgery, organ transplants, epidemiology, and immunology. Their knowledge and expertise are invaluable in combating mental disorders and behavioural abnormalities. For example, animals are used in the therapy and rehabilitation of children with congenital mutism and neurological disorders, with veterinarians playing an integral role in these treatments. Additionally, veterinarians ensure that all food of animal origin is wholesome and safe for human consumption, mitigating potential risks to human health.
The work of veterinary professionals extends beyond clinical settings. They actively protect animal and public health through surveillance for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, veterinarians faced challenges in providing care due to staff shortages caused by the virus. This resulted in longer wait times for sick animals and highlighted the need for veterinarians to be recognised as frontline workers, receiving vaccinations as part of the first phase of distribution.
The mental health and well-being of veterinary workers are also important considerations. Veterinary professionals often struggle with mental health challenges due to the inherently caring nature of their work. They may compartmentalise their feelings to continue providing high-quality care, but this can lead to emotional burdens that require support. Social workers and mental health resources play a crucial role in helping veterinary teams resolve feelings and manage stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue.
Veterinary workers are essential to public health, contributing to various medical fields and ensuring the safety of animal-based food products. Their work during the COVID-19 pandemic further emphasised their vital role in society, and their recognition as essential workers is long overdue.
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Vaccination of veterinary workers
Veterinary workers are at a high risk of being exposed to a variety of infections and are therefore encouraged to receive certain vaccinations to protect themselves. These include hepatitis B, rabies, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), and influenza. Vaccination is the best form of protection against these infections, which are commonly spread through contact with blood, body fluids, and the saliva of infected animals.
Veterinary professionals play a crucial role in maintaining public health by providing essential care, research, teaching, patient care, food inspection, and military service. They are regularly exposed to ill members of the public and certain animal species that can be infected with SARS-CoV-2. As a result, they are considered essential and frontline workers, and their work directly impacts the public health of their country.
Despite their important role, veterinarians have not been consistently prioritized in the early phases of vaccine distribution, with California and Oregon being notable exceptions. However, advocacy for their prompt vaccination is ongoing, and organizations like Passport Health offer onsite immunizations for veterinary workers to make the process more accessible.
In addition to protecting themselves, veterinarians play a key role in promoting public health messaging about the importance of vaccination. Their credibility as healthcare providers and the public's trust in them make their vaccination status influential in encouraging others to get vaccinated.
Veterinary workers are also responsible for ensuring the safety of their patients and staff by adhering to biosafety and biosecurity protocols, particularly during infectious disease outbreaks. They should be knowledgeable about potential risk factors and complications associated with animal health and implement routine infection prevention practices to minimize the transmission of zoonotic pathogens. They should also be aware of liability issues and employee health and safety regulations in their practices.
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Veterinary workers' eligibility for Phase 1A
Veterinary professionals have been advocating for their inclusion in the early vaccination phase for the COVID-19 vaccine. While veterinarians are typically recognized as "healthcare providers" by their respective states, they have rarely been included in Phase 1A of vaccine distribution, with California and Oregon being notable exceptions.
In Washington, the State Veterinarian Medical Association (WSVMA) initially informed its members that they were eligible for vaccines as part of Phase 1A, Tier 2. However, this guidance was later corrected, and veterinarians were told they would be included in a later phase. Despite this setback, some veterinarians in Washington have still been able to receive their vaccines by representing themselves as "health care workers" who are exposed to the general public during the eligibility screening process.
Veterinarians and their teams play an essential role in public health and have important functions in research, teaching, patient care, food inspection, military service, and maintaining animal health. They are regularly exposed to members of the public who may be ill and work with certain animal species that can be infected with SARS-CoV-2. As such, they put their health at risk and should be considered frontline workers, eligible for vaccinations in the first phase.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) are advocating for the inclusion of veterinary professionals in Phase 1B of the vaccine distribution, recognizing the essential care and services they provide. While the development and rollout of COVID-19 vaccines have been rapid, distribution and administration will take more time, and the current surge in cases is impacting the ability to provide adequate care to animals.
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Veterinary workers' health and safety
Veterinary workers are exposed to a wide variety of health and safety hazards in their workplaces. These hazards are dependent on the workplace setting, species of animals, and tasks performed. Similar to healthcare facilities, veterinary workers are susceptible to slips, trips, and falls. However, a substantial number of injuries in this field are caused by animal contact, including bites, scratches, kicks, or crush injuries. These injuries can be prevented by using proper animal handling techniques and understanding animal behavior.
Veterinary workers are also at risk of contracting zoonotic diseases, which are transmitted from animals to humans. To prevent the spread of such diseases, veterinary clinics and hospitals should implement infection prevention and control guidelines, as outlined in the NASPHV Compendium of Veterinary Standard Precautions for Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Veterinary Personnel. Additionally, needlestick and sharps injuries can be avoided by following proper safety procedures when administering injections and disposing of medical waste.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established NIOSH, an agency dedicated to studying worker safety and health and empowering employers and workers to create safe work environments. Employers in veterinary settings have a legal and ethical obligation to protect the safety and health of their employees, volunteers, students, clients, and patients. They can achieve this by developing a comprehensive, written safety and health program, which includes training on hazards and prevention before workers begin their duties and periodically thereafter.
Veterinary workers are considered essential workers and play a crucial role in public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they have been advocating to be included in the early vaccination phases, emphasizing their high-risk status and the impact of the virus on their ability to provide adequate care to animals. While some states have excluded veterinarians from the initial vaccine distribution phases, others, like California and Oregon, have prioritized them.
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Veterinary workers' role in public health
Veterinary workers play a crucial role in public health. They are often the first line of defence against animal diseases that could threaten public health and national security. They prevent and treat zoonotic diseases like rabies and avian flu and play a key role in responding to bioterrorism threats. Veterinary workers are also responsible for food safety and security, ensuring that animal-derived food products are free of microbial or chemical contaminants. They contribute to the safety of the food supply through activities such as antimicrobial residue testing, carcass inspection, and disease prevention in food-producing animals.
Veterinarians also collaborate with human medical professionals on zoonotic disease prevention and control, advising health boards, and reporting disease trends to state public health agencies. They facilitate the use of service animals, promote the benefits of the human-animal bond, and educate animal owners about safe handling practices to reduce the risk of bacteria-related illnesses. Veterinary workers are also involved in research, teaching, patient care, food inspection, and military service. They contribute to biomedical research, which can lead to scientific discoveries and medical advances that benefit both animals and humans.
In terms of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, veterinarians have advocated for their inclusion in the early vaccination phases. They argue that they are essential workers with a direct impact on public health, regularly exposing themselves to potential SARS-CoV-2 infection from both animals and humans. Their high degree of public trust makes them effective messengers for promoting vaccination. While some states have included veterinarians in the early vaccination phases, recognising them as healthcare providers, others have not.
Veterinary technicians, who provide nursing care to animals, are also considered essential to animal and public health. They are knowledgeable about potential risk factors and complications associated with animal health, and they assist in laboratories, where they may be at increased risk of exposure to certain diseases like rabies. Overall, veterinary workers play a vital and multifaceted role in protecting and improving public health.
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Frequently asked questions
While veterinarians are recognised as "healthcare providers" by their respective states, they have not been included in Phase 1A of the vaccine rollout in most states. However, California and Oregon have included veterinarians in Phase 1A.
In most areas of the country, veterinary workers have been considered essential workers since early in the pandemic. However, the definition of "essential workers" varies by state. For example, Colorado's plan puts essential workers in Phase II.
Veterinary workers are recommended to receive vaccines to protect themselves from various infections, including hepatitis B, rabies, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), and influenza.
