Date: 202108
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Other All
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Fatigue; Distraction
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; No Specific Anomaly Occurred Unwanted Situation
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Aircraft In Service At Gate; In-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
Primary problem: Environment - Non Weather Related

Narrative: I have not taken the COVID vaccine.  Because of this; I expect to lose my job in XX days or less.  I flew a scheduled trip; ZZZ to ZZZZ; on Date 1 and returned Date 2.  I am new to the [aircraft type] fleet and have XX total hours on type with XY hours towards my hours required for consolidation.In training; I was taught the importance of discussing threats before a trip with the other pilots.  My dilemma was deciding whether to tell the other pilots that I am distracted because of my upcoming termination or not to tell them.  I decided not to tell them because; having never met them before; I was concerned that this information might be perceived by them as anything from a minor annoyance with me to a possible outrage.  Prior to both flights; I addressed all my concerns and considered myself fit for duty.  Although I just recently completed training on the [aircraft type]; I am proficient in my skills.  I was convinced that should any non-normal situation occur I would be competent and able to properly perform my duties.  What I did not expect to encounter was the anxiety and inner conflict I experienced once airborne.After the flight; I was unable to go to dinner with the other pilots on the overnight because I do not have a vaccine card which is required in Country.  I felt uneasy about giving a vague reason for declining the invitation because I was uncertain about revealing the truth about my vaccination status.  While in ZZZZ; I thought about the inner-conflict that I am experiencing; anxiety about losing my job; and concern over possible discrimination by other pilots and/or cabin crew members should they become aware of my vaccination status. I was pilot flying on the return leg to ZZZ and I found it more difficult to concentrate on simple tasks especially since I am new to the aircraft.  I was also unable to sleep during my rest break and unable to eat very much due to the heightened anxiety I was experiencing.  My landing at ZZZ airport was not as good as I had hoped.  The inner tension was compounded by my uncertainty as to whether I should have confessed my vaccination status to the other pilots and what would happen to me if I made a mistake and they found out later that I did not tell them.The unexpected level of anxiety never reached a point that I would consider dangerous; but the possibility of increased errors was apparent to me.  The conflict that I experienced because I did not reveal my vaccination status at the onset of the trip was an unnecessary distraction imposed on me by the company.  In addition; I did not want to introduce an issue to the other pilots that could cause a hostile work environment.  At the end of the flight; at the gate in ZZZ; I told the other pilots that I was unvaccinated and would be losing my job soon.  I could sense their concern and as they are both true professionals; they seemed empathetic with my plight.I have not yet determined the best way to deal with my predicament and since there is no guidance from my union or the company; I will probably conceal my vaccination status on my next trip.  I would hope that there would not be any hostility directed towards me if I revealed my status at the beginning of my next trip; but considering the contentiousness of the situation I am unsure.  I believe that my training and prior experience make it easier for me to deal with these types of distractions than others.  I am very concerned for those who may be unable to effectively manage their personal problems caused by the vaccine mandate.I believe that the company's vaccine mandate has created a potentially dangerous work environment that could impact safe operations.  The divisiveness caused by the vaccine issue; the unknown side effects for those already vaccinated and the prospect of impending job terminations have culminated and become; in my opinion; an inherent risk to aviation safety.




Synopsis: Air carrier First Officer reported experiencing stress and anxiety resulting from working while being unvaccinated and the company requiring employees to be vaccinated.