Recipients Required to Wait 48 Hours Prior to Performing Duties

The FAA has followed through on a COVID-19 vaccination approval, now allowing the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine for pilots, controllers, and similar roles. 

The news honors an Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FAA has determined that the vaccine is allowable 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. That shot comes with a caveat just like it did last year, requiring a short pause before resuming work duties.

"To maintain the highest level of safety in the National Airspace System," the announcement read. "The FAA will require the affected recipients of this single-dose vaccine to wait 48 hours before conducting safety-sensitive aviation duties, such as flying or controlling air traffic. The waiting period, which accounts for potential side effects, applies to those holding an Airman Medical Certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 67 or a Medical Clearance issued under FAA Order 3930.3C."

The FAA says that their staff of medical professionals will "continuously monitor the initial distribution of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and will adjust the recommendations as needed," leaving enough slack on the table in case of changing conditions. The speed of fresh COVID strains and vaccine formulations may have kept the administration on their toes after 2021, prompting them to remain ready for any changes in the pipeline. They say that they will "evaluate additional vaccines as they receive FDA emergency use authorization and will advise pilots and air traffic controllers of any required waiting periods".

For now, the J&J requirements could be seen to be a fair template of what to expect for other brands, as it falls perfectly in line with similar 48-hour waiting periods for its competing Moderna and Pfizer products. The FAA notes that similar waiting periods apply to other vaccines too, like tuberculosis and typhoid.

FMI: www.faa.gov