COVID-19 vaccination: DGCA issues guidelines for pilots, cabin crew
Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a series of guidelines on Tuesday to be followed by pilots and crew members after they get vaccinated against COVID-19. The DGCA said that pilots and crew will not fly in an aircraft for 48 hours after vaccination. "If there are no symptoms after 48 hours, the aircrew will be fit to resume unrestricted flying duties," DGCA said.
Aircrew will be monitored for anaphylactic and idiosyncratic reaction
The DGCA said that the aircrew will be monitored for 30 minutes after taking the shot at the COVID-19 vaccination center itself for any anaphylactic and idiosyncratic reaction. "Air crew will be 'medically unfit for flying' for 48 hours after vaccination," it added.
Pilots will be reviewed by treating physician after 48 hours
The DGCA said, "If, after 48 hours, the pilot experiences any symptoms, he or she will be reviewed by treating physician or his or her authorized medical attendant." "Such pilots can be declared fit for flying duties provided they are asymptomatic without any medications and medical care certificate to this effect should be obtained," it added.
Special medical examination if unfitness period is over 14 days
The DGCA said that if the medical unfitness period post-coronavirus exhibition is more than 14 days, then a special medical examination will be required to ascertain fitness for flying. To recall, India began its COVID-19 vaccination drive 0n January 16, with more than 1.6 crore individuals vaccinated so far. The second phase of India's coronavirus vaccination program commenced on March 1.
COVAXIN, Covishield given emergency approval in India
The Drugs Controller General of India has granted emergency approval to two vaccines in India. Covishield, which is developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, is manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India. COVAXIN is developed indigenously by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech.
