48 Hour No-Fly Mandated For Pilots And Controllers Receiving COVID Vaccine

The FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine said that it reviewed data regarding safety profiles associated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and is issuing a 48-hour no-fly order for pilots and air traffic controllers.

The vaccine is allowed under emergency use authorization and the FAA said “Holders of FAA-issued Airman Medical Certificates or Medical Clearances may receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine; however, a 48-hour no fly/no safety related duty interval must be observed after each dose.”

The 48-hour wait period before flying or controlling air traffic applies after each of the two doses.