Aviator Occupational Behavior Surrounding COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Survey

Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has precipitated change across the aviation industry, including aeromedical standards. U.S. pilot occupational behavior regarding COVID-19 infections and vaccinations have not been well-studied. Methods We conducted an anonymous survey of 661 U.S. pilots from September 1, 2021, through December 15, 2021. Results We found 23.8% of pilots reported a history of COVID-19 infection but only 20.5% of infected pilots reported this history to an aeromedical examiner (AME)/flight surgeon. Of uninfected pilots, 50.5% reported being either extremely unlikely or somewhat unlikely to disclose a new infection to an AME/flight surgeon. Seventy-nine point six percent (79.6%) of pilots received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine and 89.6% of those who received a vaccine complied with the 48-hour no-flying policy. Of the unvaccinated pilots, 74.5% reported being either extremely unlikely or somewhat unlikely to receive a vaccine.