Donating blood during the COVID-19 pandemic

The need for blood transfusions and medications derived from blood components persists despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and blood collection services are concerned about potential future blood shortages.

Blood and plasma donation remains vital, and travel and venue restrictions do not prevent people from giving blood. There are no confirmed reports of the coronavirus being transmitted through blood transfusion anywhere in the world, and strict additional safety measures have been implemented at blood collection sites for donors and staff.

Stationary donation centres are open, and where mobile collection services had to be reduced due to closure or unsuitability of their common sites, such as buses, stores, or schools, alternative sites have been set up, for example, in currently unused exhibition centres, which offer more spacious environments to ensure social distancing.

Blood collection services, such as the UK´s NHSBT or national Red Cross institutions, have published detailed information about how they maintain their processes for both registered and new donors. They encourage healthy volunteers to keep their appointments and to make new donation appointments for the weeks ahead to ensure a continued supply of blood products.

General information for blood donors:

• Registered donors are encouraged to keep their appointments (or cancel them if needed to allow replacement) and make new appointments some months ahead
• First-time donors should register through their blood donation service and be patient when waiting for an appointment assignment. Operational processes may be slowed down slightly due to the impact of the coronavirus, and registered donors are prioritized. Giving blood is a gift that lasts a lifetime!
• Travelling to donate is permitted because it helps meet the medical needs of vulnerable people. Hospitals need blood supplies more than ever now and in the coming weeks.
• Please do not donate if you feel unwell. Additional questions may be asked to ensure that only donors without coronavirus risk factors enter the donation area. Depending on local guidance, fever testing may be performed.
• If you think you have coronavirus, please confirm your situation before donating.
• Please attend the session only during your scheduled appointment to help maintain social distancing.
• If you are a regular donor, you may notice changes such as increased space between chairs, additional cleaning of surfaces, staff washing their hands more frequently, and the use of alcohol-based hand disinfectant and wearing masks to reassure donors (although not essential for the blood donation process in general).
• There may be changes in the provision of hot drinks or snacks in the waiting area, but sufficient time to recover and adequate fluid intake will always be ensured.
• There might be additional precautions for elderly donors or those carrying risk factors.

Please stay in touch with your blood donation service for detailed and up-to-date information, as local guidelines and settings will vary. Most importantly, stay healthy!