NACA Urges Prioritization of Aviation Workers for Vaccine Distribution

On December 8, NACA joined 16 other aviation industry organizations across management and labor to urge the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to prioritize aviation workers in the next phase of vaccine allocation. The letter states in part:

As you are aware, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has designated aviation workers as essential to maintaining our nation’s critical infrastructure. In addition, aviation workers are also frontline workers who either encounter the traveling public frequently or are required to perform our work in close proximity to our colleagues and require us to be onsite.

…

The vaccine distribution effort will be complex and involve extensive collaboration between federal and state governments along with private organizations. To succeed, the United States will need every asset available to perform optimally — including the frontline workers that keep our nation’s safe and efficient air transportation system operational.

Given the scientific, implementation and ethical considerations, we ask that you prioritize these frontline aviation workers in the next phase of vaccine allocation (Phase 1b) after health workers and residents in long term facilities in your upcoming recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The full text of the letter can be viewed here.