Rumor Control for Airline Pilots
Many rumors are circulating among airline pilots in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve and those military pilots seeking employment with commercial air carriers. Most of these rumors raise questions about continued employment with the airlines, loss of FAA medical certificates, loss of insurance coverage and grounding periods after vaccinations.
The physicians from Virtual Flight Surgeons® have directly contacted representatives from the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division, the director of the Air Transport Association medical committee and a number of airline corporate medical directors to learn firsthand about current policies regarding the anthrax vaccine.
For those pilots whose concerns are not addressed in this section or other parts of this page, contact VFS through our anonymous, confidential, encrypted questionnaire. We will attempt to verify any responses from primary sources before responding to inquiries.
Rumor #1 - The FAA will revoke my medical certificate if I receive the anthrax vaccine.
False. Dr. Warren Silberman, Manager of the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division, confirms that receiving the anthrax vaccine does not affect a pilot's medical certificate. Receipt of the vaccine is not grounding for any duration under current FAA policy. Pilots do not even have to report receipt of any routine or required vaccine on their FAA medical application if it was done to prevent an infectious disease. Most side effects reported from the anthrax vaccine are not even temporarily disqualifying. Serious side effects may be temporarily grounding until they resolve or stabilize.
Dr. Jon Jordan, Federal Air Surgeon, is the senior FAA physician responsible for medical policies of the Administration. He has posted a letter formally articulating the FAA policy on pilots receiving the anthrax vaccine. Also see Federal Air Surgeon's Medical Bulletin, Winter 2000, "Immunizations and Flying".
Rumor #2 - This airline will not hire me or will terminate me if I take the anthrax vaccine.
False. VFS physicians contacted those airlines having full-time medical director positions, medical consultants retained by the airlines, aeromedical pilot representatives and those having pilot medical certification consultants. Each airline medical director or consultant confirmed that receipt of the anthrax vaccine has no effect on hiring or retention policies or decisions. Several of the directors also indicated that the corporate policies are to encourage pilots to comply with all military preventive medicine programs including vaccinations. Airlines contacted include Delta, United, FedEx, TWA, American, Northwest, America West, Continental and Southwest. Most other airlines do not have full-time medical directors or consultants, but could be expected to follow the lead of the other major carriers.
Rumor #3 - My medical insurance carriers will drop coverage for conditions resulting from the anthrax vaccine.
False, probably. Medical insurance carriers are required by law to provide coverage for non pre-existing conditions arising from legitimate treatment. The anthrax vaccine is FDA approved for human use. The military may also provide coverage from conditions proven to arise as a complication of any vaccine obtained in a duty status. Medical directors of airlines listed above have also verified that full coverage for any medical condition is required under the contracts with the insurance carrier. Pilots are encouraged to check with their individual medical insurance carriers to confirm coverage policies.
Rumor #4 - My company will not authorize paid sick leave or disability if I have complications from the anthrax vaccine.
False. Corporate medical directors contacted by VFS physicians indicated that any legitimate medical condition that interferes with safe flying or medical certification is covered for sick leave and disability under the terms of pilot contracts. Potential adverse effects from the anthrax vaccine would fall in this category according to airline medical directors and consultants.
Rumor #5 - Loss of License insurance carriers will drop coverage for conditions resulting from the anthrax vaccine.
False. Pilot Loss of License insurers including Harvey Watt and Air Line Pilots Association confirmed that they will provide coverage for loss of an FAA medical license due to consequences of any vaccination administered by military or civilian health care providers.
Rumor #6 - Airline union aeromedical offices have made a specific endorsement or condemnation of the anthrax vaccine.
False. Physicians of the aeromedical offices of six airline unions state there is no official union position either recommending that pilots take the anthrax vaccine or a position discouraging pilot from receiving the vaccine. These offices encourage pilots to obtain all information they deem necessary to make an informed personal decision about vaccination after carefully weighing the potential risks and benefits.
Additional information on anthrax in the aviation environment can be found in the January-February 2002 issue of the Flight Safety Foundation's journal Human Factors and Aviation Medicine article on Anthrax Threats Present Unique Challenges for Airline Crewmembers.
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