Page 20 - Volume 15 Number 2

AVIATION ISSUES
FAA Approves COVID Vaccine for Pilots and NBAA Announces
IRS Final Ruling Advocacy Win
FAA Issues Order Authorizing Pilots to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
Following the Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Pfizer, Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine in mid-December, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) determined that pilots may receive the vaccine under the conditions of their FAA- issued airman medical certification. Without such an order, pilots receiv- ing vaccines that have not received full FDA approval risk invalidating their medical certificate.
To maintain the highest level of safety, the agency will require a
by Kim Blonigen
48-hour waiting period to monitor side effects before flying, which is similar to what is enforced for vaccines for tuberculosis and typhoid. This waiting period is required after each distribution of those vaccines given in two doses, currently Pfizer and Moderna.
The FAA anticipates taking no additional measures to ensure safety after the initial 48-hour window but states the agency’s medical professionals will continuously monitor the initial distribution of the novel vaccine and documented clinical results and will adjust these recommendations as needed.
The order also states that the FAA will evaluate vaccines from other manufacturers as they receive FDA authorization in the coming weeks and months and will advise pilots of any waiting periods required for those vaccines.
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18 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
FEBRUARY 2021