Airports And Vaccination: What's The Requirement?

As of January 2025, proof of vaccination is not required to board a commercial flight within the US. However, individual airlines may implement their own policies regarding vaccination. In the past, some US lawmakers and health experts have called for vaccination requirements for domestic flights, but these have not been implemented.

For international travel, proof of vaccination may be required depending on the country of destination and the airline. Each country has its own set of rules and requirements for entry, which may include proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 test results, or other relevant documentation. It is essential to check the specific requirements for your destination country before travelling.

Domestic flights in the US do not require proof of vaccination

There has been mounting pressure to introduce a vaccination requirement for domestic flights, particularly as coronavirus cases have risen and airlines have been forced to cancel thousands of flights due to outbreaks among staff. Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden's top infectious disease advisor, has said that it would be "reasonable to consider" a vaccination requirement for domestic airline passengers, adding that it would be "another incentive to get more people vaccinated".

Sen. Dianne Feinstein and several other members of Congress have gone further, asking the Biden administration to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result for all domestic air travel. In a letter to Biden, they stated:

> "Travel at our nation's airports has essentially returned to pre-pandemic levels but the risk from COVID-19, including from its new variant Omicron, continues to present a major public health threat. Requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test for domestic flights would improve public health and address concerns that passengers have about flying."

However, the Biden administration has said that while vaccine requirements for domestic air travel have been considered, "the recommendation [...] is [that they are] not necessary." The airline industry also appears set against vaccine requirements for domestic travel, citing logistical and financial concerns.

As of March 18, 2022, the requirement for passengers to wear masks on planes remains in place.

International flights to the US require proof of vaccination for non-citizens

Who Does This Rule Apply To?

The rule applies to all non-US citizens who are not immigrants. This includes non-US citizens travelling to the US on a non-immigrant visa (NIV) or ESTA (Visa Waiver Program). It also includes non-US nationals and non-lawful permanent residents.

Proof of Vaccination

All travellers must provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This means that 14 days have passed since the person received their last dose. For a two-dose vaccine, this means that 14 days must have passed since the second dose. For a single-dose vaccine, the 14-day period starts from the day of vaccination. The vaccines must be approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

The proof of vaccination can be a verifiable digital or paper record, or a non-verifiable paper or digital record. Examples of verifiable records include a vaccination certificate with a QR code or a digital pass via a smartphone application with a QR code. Non-verifiable records include digital photos of vaccination cards, downloaded vaccine records, or mobile apps without a QR code. All forms of proof must include the passenger's name and date of birth, the name of the official source issuing the record, the vaccine manufacturer, and the date(s) of vaccination.

Exemptions

There are limited exceptions to the vaccination requirement. These include:

• People medically unable to receive a vaccine
• Emergency travellers who do not have timely access to a vaccine
• Persons on diplomatic or official foreign government travel
• Children under 18 years of age
• Participants in certain COVID-19 vaccine trials
• Persons issued a humanitarian or emergency exception
• Sea crew members travelling with a C-1 or D nonimmigrant visa

If travellers meet one of these exceptions, they must still attest that they are exempt from the vaccination requirement. This includes agreeing to be tested for COVID-19 within 3-5 days of arrival in the US, self-quarantining for 7 days (even with a negative test result), and self-isolating if the post-arrival test is positive or if they develop COVID-19 symptoms.

Additional Requirements

In addition to proof of vaccination, all travellers aged 2 and above must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test (antigen or PCR) taken within one calendar day of departure. This requirement applies regardless of citizenship or vaccination status.

Canada previously required proof of vaccination to board any flight departing from a Canadian airport

In the fall of 2021, for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, Canada introduced a mandatory vaccination requirement to board any flight (not just domestic flights) departing from a Canadian airport. This meant that vaccination was compulsory for any flight leaving a Canadian airport, regardless of the traveller's destination. The rule applied to all travellers aged 12 and over and came into effect on 30th November 2021.

The Canadian government stated that the new measure was intended to boost immunisation rates and fight off fresh waves of COVID-19 infections. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland commented that the vaccination requirements were intended:

> 'to ensure a minority of people cannot sabotage Canada's economic recovery and cannot allow the fourth wave or other variants to cause real problems for us all.'

The vaccination mandate was part of a wider package of measures, which included a requirement for federal civil servants and those working in federally regulated industries, such as banking, to be vaccinated.

The new rule caused controversy, with some arguing that it was not based on science. Unvaccinated travellers who entered Canada had to be tested within 72 hours and were retested upon arrival: 1% tested positive, according to government data. This led some to question why vaccinated travellers, who were not required to be tested, might not pose a similar risk.

The measure was also criticised for going against the World Health Organization's expert recommendations and for effectively making unvaccinated people 'prisoners in their own country'. However, the government emphasised that unvaccinated Canadians were still allowed to enter Canada and that the rule was temporary.

As of October 1st, 2022, proof of vaccination is no longer required to enter Canada or to board a plane or train within the country.

The CDC checks for proof of vaccination at US airports for non-citizens

The CDC does not check for proof of vaccination at US airports for non-citizens. However, there are specific requirements for non-citizens entering the US by air.

All travellers to the US, including US citizens, US nationals, and lawful permanent residents, must adhere to the following requirements:

• Fully vaccinated: Proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel.
• Not fully vaccinated: A negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel.
• All travellers must fill out the online attestation regardless of their vaccination status.

Children between 2 and 17 years of age are not required to show proof of vaccination but must present a negative COVID-19 test result and an attestation indicating a negative test result or recovery from the illness. Children under 2 years old are exempt from these requirements.

Only vaccines approved by the CDC, FDA, or WHO are accepted. These include:

• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
• CanSinoBIO (Covidecia)
• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)
• Moderna (Spikevax)
• AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria)
• Sinopharm (BIBP)
• Sinovac (Coronavax)
• Novavax (Nuvaxovid)

Additionally, non-citizens applying for immigrant visas or seeking to adjust their status to that of lawful permanent residents must receive vaccinations for certain diseases, as outlined by the CDC. These include:

• Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids
• Haemophilus influenzae type B
• Any other vaccine-preventable diseases recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP)

The CDC assesses which vaccines are required for immigration purposes based on specific criteria. The vaccination assessment is conducted by civil surgeons, and the results are recorded on Form I-693. Non-citizens must present this documentation during their immigration medical examination.

The IATA app can be used to check the vaccination requirements of your destination country

The IATA app is a helpful tool for travellers to check the vaccination requirements of their destination country. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) represents over 290 airlines, comprising 82% of global air traffic. Their app provides travellers with real-time information on the necessary travel documents for international air travel. This includes information on the COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements of various countries.

The IATA app is free for travellers and can be used to store and manage verified certificates for COVID-19 tests and vaccinations. This helps to reduce time spent at airports by providing travellers with accurate information on the necessary tests and vaccinations for their trip. The app also allows travellers to share their COVID-19 test and vaccination details in advance of travel, making it easier to pass border security checks.

The app is currently being trialled by at least 50 international airlines and is available to South African travellers. It is important to note that the IATA app is not a vaccination passport app, but rather a health app that helps passengers manage their COVID-19 testing and vaccination certificates for travel.

IATA has also developed a health passport platform, which Singapore started accepting in April 2021. This platform allows travellers to upload their COVID-19 test results to show airlines and immigration officials. Some airlines, such as JetBlue Airways and United Airlines, have also announced trials of another digital health passport by The Commons Project Foundation.

Frequently asked questions