Fauci says US should consider vaccine mandate for domestic air travel

The federal government should consider requiring Covid-19 vaccines for domestic flights, the nation’s top infectious disease expert said Monday. “When you make vaccinations a requirement, that’s another incentive to get more people vaccinated,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci in an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “If you want to do that with domestic flights, I think that’s something that seriously should be considered.” There is no indication at this point that a vaccine mandate is on its way for U.S. flights. When asked on MSNBC, Fauci, White House chief medical advisor, declined to say whether he has made the recommendation to President Joe Biden. The White House, when asked for comment, referred CNBC to Biden’s statement to ABC News last week, “It’s been considered,” Biden said, “but the recommendation I’ve gotten, it’s not necessary.” The travel industry, meanwhile, expressed opposition to a vaccine mandate for domestic travel when Fauci made a similar suggestion in September. Already, US passengers must wear masks to board planes and keep them on for the duration of the flight except when eating or drinking. International travelers must also show proof of vaccination and a negative Covid test in order to board a US-bound flight, and also wear a mask. <br/>