August 23, 2021
ALPA Applauds FDA’s Full Approval of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
McLEAN, Va.—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued the following statement today after the Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use by individuals age 16 and older:
“ALPA applauds the federal government’s full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are critical to the world’s recovery from this deadly virus and will go far in keeping the aviation sector strong. Additionally, layered prevention strategies as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, such as wearing a mask, will also help protect the airline industry’s path to economic recovery.
“Since the onset of COVID-19 and the development of the vaccines, ALPA fought for swift approval and priority access for pilots. ALPA believes that employer-mandated vaccinations are an issue that must be bargained, and we strongly support our individual pilot groups as they engage with their companies on this issue.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 60,000 pilots at 36 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org