COVID-19 Vaccine? Follow FAR 61.53

Not surprisingly, the FAA has issued specific guidance for airman (and air traffic control specialists) who plan to get any of the available COVID-19 vaccines. 

According to a release issued by the federal air surgeon (via the FAA’s Office of Aerospace medicine), FAA medical certificate holders may not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required crewmember, for 48 hours after each dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. It’s really common-sense stuff, and the side effects from these vaccines could sideline you anyway, but the guidance to stay on the ground for a bit seems logical, especially since you might experience fatigue, fever and body aches—symptoms that might keep you on the ground anyway. 

Larry Anglisano

Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.