Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers May Receive Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

The FAA has determined that pilots and Air Traffic Controllers may receive the Pfizer-BioN Tech COVID-19 vaccine; however, are to observe a period of 48 hours following the administration of this vaccine before conducting safety-sensitive aviation duties. This includes flying or controlling air traffic.

Because the Pfizer vaccine requires two doses, 21 days apart for maximum effectiveness, this waiting period applies after each dose.

The FAA anticipates taking no additional measures to ensure safety after the initial window for side effects closes. However, the agency’s medical professionals will continuously monitor the initial distribution of the novel vaccine and documented clinical results. These recommendations will be adjusted as needed.

The FAA will evaluate vaccines from other manufacturers as they receive FDA authorization in the coming weeks and months and will advise pilots and air traffic controllers of any waiting periods required for those vaccines.

This is in line with similar brief waiting periods after administration of other vaccines, including those for tuberculosis and typhoid.

South African Civil Aviation Authority

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has not yet published any guidelines or approvals for South African licence holders.

PFIZER has published this important safety information:

• Do not administer Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to individuals with known history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

• Appropriate medical treatment used to manage immediate allergic reactions must be immediately available in the event an acute anaphylactic reaction occurs following administration of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

• Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may have a diminished immune response to the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

• The Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may not protect all vaccine recipients

• In clinical studies, adverse reactions in participants 16 years of age and older included pain at the injection site (84.1%), fatigue (62.9%), headache (55.1%), muscle pain (38.3%), chills (31.9%), joint pain (23.6%), fever (14.2%), injection site swelling (10.5%), injection site redness (9.5%), nausea (1.1%), malaise (0.5%), and lymphadenopathy (0.3%)

• Severe allergic reactions have been reported following the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine during mass vaccination outside of clinical trials. Additional adverse reactions, some of which may be serious, may become apparent with more widespread use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

• Available data on Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine administered to pregnant women are insufficient to inform vaccine-associated risks in pregnancy

• Data are not available to assess the effects of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine on the breastfed infant or on milk production/excretion

• There are no data available on the interchangeability of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID 19 Vaccine with other COVID-19 vaccines to complete the vaccination series. Individuals who have received one dose of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine should receive a second dose of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to complete the vaccination series

About Aviation4SA

Aviation4SA, founded in 2017, offers the aviation industry an easy way to access South African Aviation Legislation. This is done through a revolutionary hi tech app that on installation downloads a comprehensive library. This library of documents consists of the latest, consolidated, current and cross-referenced South African aviation legislation. The app is available for Android, IOS and Windows computers.

The team at Aviation4SA is made up of experts in their field of aviation who are still actively involved in the Industry. They include Senior Corporate and Airline Pilots, Instructors, Examiners, Legal experts and Managers. This means they have first-hand knowledge in Aviation and Legislation making their contribution extremely important and relevant.

The Aviation4SA app can be easily downloaded on any smart device and once downloaded the information is available offline. Anyone in the aviation industry will benefit from the wealth of information on the app.

Enhancing aviation safety through legal compliance.

Benefits of the Aviation4SA app

• Specific to South Africa
• Consolidated, current and cross-referenced legislation
• Automatically updated so you are always up to date
• Hyperlinked for easy cross-referencing
• Notifications of legislative changes
• Content available offline
• SA-CATS and CAR’S
• Acts, Regulations, Rules and Ministerial Orders
• Agreements, charges, fees and taxes
• Amendments and proposed amendments
• AIC’s and AIP’s
• SACAA Communique, guidelines and notices
• Covid-19 Regulations and Directions affecting aviation.

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