EASA published a Safety Information Bulletin concerning the vaccination of aircrew, providing recommendations applicable to National Competent Authorities (NCAs), aircraft operators, aero-medical centres (AeMCs), aero-medical examiners (AMEs) and crew members.
The recommendations EASA issued in this Safety Information Bulletin affecting us as pilots directly are:
- Due to their increased exposure, it is highly recommended for aircrew members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they become available in accordance with the national COVID-19 vaccine roll-out plan.
- Operators and aircrew members should consider a waiting period of 48 hours after each dose of COVID-19 vaccine, before aircrew members should be engaged in any flight-related tasks in accordance with the privileges of their flight crew licence or cabin crew attestation. This interval could be extended to 72 hours for aircrew members performing single crew operations.
- Aircrew members are advised to consult with their AME in case side effects persist for more than 48 hours following the vaccination and, in consultation with the AME, extend the waiting period until the time when the side effects completely disappear.
- Aircrew members are reminded to give proper consideration to the requirements of MED.A.020 Decrease in medical fitness and the corresponding GM1 MED.A.020.
We encourage you to take note of this important Safety Information Bulletin.
