FAA Approves COVID-19 Vaccine for Pilots and Controllers

The FAA determined pilots under conditions of their FAA-issued airmen medical ceritfication and FAA Air Traffic Controllers, who are subject to FAA medical clearance, may receive the Pfizer, Inc. COVID-19 vaccine.

This announcement came following the Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Admnistration for Pfizer, Inc's COVID-19 vaccine. 

New York National Guard Army Maj. Stephen Carson prepares a New York COVID-19 vaccination area on Dec. 16, as part of a Defense Department vaccine pilot program in which 44,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine are being administered to frontline medical personnel around the world.

The FAA will require aviation professionals who receive the vaccine to refrain from conducting safety-sensitive aviation activities, such as flying or controlling air traffic, for 48 hours after the vaccine is administered. Because the Pfizer vaccine requires two doses, 21 days apart for maximum effectiveness, this waiting period applies after each dose.

This protocol ensures they maintain the highest level of safety in the National Airspace system, according to the FAA announcement. 

The FAA anticipates no additional measures to ensure safety after the initial window for side effects closes. However, the agency’s medical professionals will continuously monitor the initial distribution of the novel vaccine and documented clinical results, and it will adjust these recommendations as needed.

Additional advisories regarding approvals and waiting periods required for vaccines from other manufacturers will be released as the FAA evaluates them in coming weeks and months following FDA approval.

In the meantime, the CDC recommends all essential personnel continue to to social distance and wear masks, and take other recommended safety precautions while on the job. PPE and sanitizing equipment are ready-to-ship at https://abg-medical.com/.

For more information on vaccine approvals, please visit the Medical Certification page at faa.gov.