Is a Vaccine Requirement for Domestic Flights Coming Soon?

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading U.S. infectious disease authority, stated on December 27 that the country should contemplate a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel, hinting at a possible shift from the Biden administration's previous reluctance as COVID-19 cases surge.

As President Joe Biden’s chief science adviser on pandemic issues, Fauci mentioned that such a mandate could increase the nation's low vaccination rates and provide better protection on flights, where federal rules mandate masks for all passengers aged two and older.

"Making vaccination mandatory serves as an additional incentive for more people to get vaccinated," Fauci shared with MSNBC. "If we want to implement this for domestic flights, it's a matter that deserves serious consideration."

However, Fauci moderated his position when he talked to CNN later on December 27. He expressed, "I don't believe people should anticipate a vaccination requirement for domestic flights."

So far, the Biden administration has hesitated to implement a vaccination requirement for domestic air travel. Two officials indicated that Biden’s science advisors have not yet made a formal recommendation for such a mandate to the president.

The officials, who requested anonymity to discuss internal matters, noted that a vaccine mandate for flights could raise numerous logistical and legal issues.

Currently, the U.S. requires most foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while citizens and permanent residents only need to present a negative test result taken within a day of boarding.

Federal regulations do not necessitate negative test results for air travel within the U.S. In Hawai‘i, travelers must either test or provide proof of vaccination to bypass a mandatory quarantine.

Biden did not answer questions about whether he is contemplating a vaccination requirement for domestic air travel, but he mentioned that the topic was discussed during a call with the nation’s governors on Monday morning.

"They asked Dr. Fauci additional questions about everything from the possibility of testing at home to procedures on air flights," Biden stated regarding the call before leaving the White House for his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

During the virtual meeting with governors, Biden committed to providing full federal support to states experiencing spikes in COVID-19 cases due to the more transmissible Omicron variant and the overwhelming demand for at-home tests that made headlines over the holiday season.

"My message is simple: If you need assistance, let us know, and we will support you in every way possible," Biden expressed. He acknowledged the long lines and chaotic situations as Americans sought testing amidst the surge in cases while wanting to gather safely with loved ones over the holidays.

"The difficulties some faced in obtaining tests this weekend highlight that we still have work ahead of us," he remarked. He mentioned his administration's plan to distribute 500 million rapid tests to Americans starting next month through a yet-to-be-created website.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, chairman of the National Governors Association, expressed concerns that Biden's plan might hinder state efforts to increase the supply of tests.

"That depletes the supply chain for what we might provide as governors," he noted, adding that the shortage has become a significant challenge.

Biden reassured Hutchinson that the federal initiative would not disrupt state actions. "This issue is resolved at the state level," he stated.

A White House official confirmed that the new tests would come from expanded manufacturing capabilities and would not disrupt current supply chains.

Earlier this year, the White House considered a domestic vaccination mandate for flights, or an option requiring either vaccination or proof of a negative test. However, officials were reluctant to enforce a vaccination mandate for domestic air travel, anticipating immediate legal challenges that could undermine its effectiveness in boosting vaccination rates.

When pressed last week on why Biden had not mandated vaccinations for domestic flights, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told MSNBC, "We know that masking is, and can be, very effective on airplanes."

"We also understand that implementing this additional restriction could delay flights and have other consequences," she mentioned. "However, we would proceed if the health implications were significant. We consistently rely on the guidance of our health and medical experts, and they have not concluded that this is a necessary step at this time."

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 241 million Americans—about 77 percent of the eligible population aged five and older—have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Officials believe there may be some overestimation in these figures due to record-keeping mistakes regarding booster shots.

Since summer, the Biden administration has adopted various vaccination mandates to encourage unvaccinated Americans to get vaccinated. Requirements have been put in place for federal workers, federal contractors, and health care personnel, along with mandates for employers with 100 or more employees to implement vaccination or testing protocols for their staff.

These vaccination mandates have faced legal challenges, with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear arguments on January 7 regarding efforts to overturn them.

Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to the reporting of this story from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.