What pilot duties or activities are specifically prohibited during the post-vaccination 48-hour observation period?

• The Federal Air Surgeon determined that FAA medical certificate holders may not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required flightcrew member, for 48 hours after each dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Novavax, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The Federal Air Surgeon made this determination after evaluation of available medical information about these COVID-19 vaccines and potential side effects. As a result of this determination and consistent with 14 CFR § 61.53(a), each person subject to part 67 who receives the vaccine must wait 48 hours after each dose before acting as pilot in command or as a required flightcrew member.
• In the event that an FAA medical certificate holder experiences side effects after the 48-hour period has elapsed, the medical certificate holder may not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required flightcrew member as described at 14 CFR § 61.53(a) for the duration of the symptoms.

What duties or activities are permissible during the 48-hour post-vaccination observation period?

• The following duties can be performed during the 48-hour post-vaccination observation period: providing/receiving flight simulator or aviation training device instruction, including ground instruction or operational training not involving flight operations; office duty/administrative tasks; dead-heading/jump-seating; and distance learning.

Will the experience of individuals receiving the vaccine affect FAA guidance (possible shortening the 48-hour "No Fly/No Safety-Related Duty")?

• Yes, as additional data becomes available and the medical understanding of the side effect profile matures, the FAA will reevaluate the "No Fly/No Safety-Related Duty" timeframe, as appropriate.