Furthermore, the recent use of Anthrax vaccine by the military has unjustifiably concerned pilots. In general, immunizations are not disqualifying for general aviation flying. Pilots do not have to report receipt of any vaccine on their FAA medical application. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the AME to counsel the aviator on potential vaccine side effects and their affect on flight safety. Vaccines come in two different forms, live and inactive.
Live vaccines utilize weakened or dead organisms to stimulate an antibody response from the body.
They are typically dosed once during childhood, and this provides long-term immunization. Examples of live vaccines include the varicella, oral typhoid, measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines. Inactive vaccines have no live organisms and are more stable, but immunologically weaker. Examples of inactive vaccines include intramuscular typhoid, tetanus, influenza, and Anthrax . Inactive vaccines are the type most likely administered to pilots and tend to have less serious side effects.