WASHINGTON – According to the US Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) veterinarians will be deployed to help with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

“FSIS employees including veterinarians from across the agency are among those selected to assist in this federal effort, since their training and experience make them well equipped to serve in this capacity,” the agency said. “Persons deploying for this mission will be placed at any number of FEMA-coordinated vaccination clinics that are operating throughout multiple states, including Nevada and Oklahoma.”

According to the FSIS, 16 of its veterinarians from around the United States are expected to be deployed in the coming weeks as supplies of vaccines increase.

“The FSIS support for FEMA’s mission is another vital way the agency can serve the American people, protect human health and help ensure consumers and members of the public who work in the food and agriculture sector can continue to provide safe and wholesome food to their families,” FSIS said.

Last week, 119 employees from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) were also assigned to help with vaccinations.

“We are fortunate to have many highly skilled veterinary medical officers and animal health technicians who have the proper training, experience, and certifications to help accomplish this life-saving task, and we expect more deployments in the coming days,” said Mike Watson, APHIS acting administrator.