U.S. FAA OK's pilots to receive Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine

FILE PHOTO: A lab worker holds a vial of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine candidate in an undated photograph. Johnson & Johnson/Handout via REUTERS

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said late on Saturday it has approved the use of Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine for use by pilots and air traffic controllers.

The FAA announcement, which came shortly after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the vaccine's use, will require recipients to wait 48 hours after receiving the vaccine before conducting safety duties like flying or controlling air traffic.