Following the Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, the FAA has determined that pilots and others who perform safety sensitive duties may receive the vaccine under the conditions of their FAA-issued airman medical certification.
FAA and contract air traffic controllers, who are subject to FAA medical clearance, may also receive the vaccine.
The FAA requires recipients of the single-dose vaccine to wait 48 hours before conducting safety sensitive aviation duties, such as flying or controlling air traffic.
The FAA’s medical professionals will continuously monitor the initial distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and will adjust the recommendations as needed, agency officials noted.
The FAA will evaluate additional vaccines as they receive FDA emergency use authorization and will advise pilots and air traffic controllers of any required waiting periods. The agency previously cleared the FDA-approved Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for aviation use, subject to the same 48-hour waiting period.