A number of veterinary students, residents, and faculty and staff at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine have been trained to administer COVID-19 vaccines to humans. About 30 people from the University of Veterinary Medicine volunteered for training as vaccinators in the ISU mass vaccination clinics.
Monique Reid, a fourth year veterinary student, practices vaccination on a human arm of a mannequin at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. (Photo by Christopher Gannon / Iowa State University)
Abigail Swanson, a fourth year student, said the training offered by ISU staff included a CPR certification course, practicing injections with mannequin arms, and learning safe needle practices.
“I didn’t expect to have so much fun,” Swanson said of the vaccination clinics. She volunteered twice. “I didn’t know how I would react to dealing with people and not animals, but it was busy and went smoothly. I have little interest in public health and I figured this would be a good opportunity and now I can tell people that I have helped with the pandemic on a massive scale. “
Dr. Dan Grooms, Dean of ISU Veterinary College, has also been trained in administering COVID-19 vaccines. He said volunteering on COVID-19 vaccination programs is one way the veterinarian profession is helping during the pandemic.
“This is another great example of how veterinarians are part of responding to a problem like this,” said Dr. Grooms. “It’s a health.”
