American Red Cross: COVID-19 Vaccinated Patients Eligible to Donate Blood

MUSKINGUM COUNTY, Ohio- American Red Cross reminds the public that the need for blood remains, and those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine are still able to donate. 

As long as donors are symptom-free, feeling well and can provide the vaccine manufacturer’s name, there is no impact with donating blood. The Red Cross tests blood, platelets and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood product collected from those who have had COVID-19 and have the antibodies that may help patients who are currently fighting the virus. 

“Those folks who have had COVID but recovered and have high enough antibodies in their system, we use plasma to send to ICU units. As you can imagine, there are still lots of people in ICU, struggling with this disease,” American Red Cross of East Central Ohio Chapter Executive Director Rod Cook said.

As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged last year, Cook said they were still looking for blood donors.

“No matter what, we had to continue, because even under a pandemic, people in hospitals still need blood products no matter what else is going on, so we still had to make sure that local hospitals had the blood supplies that they needed and the right type of blood at the right time and that’s the crucial piece,” Cook said.

Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in May will be automatically entered for a chance to win a travel trailer camper. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit the Red Cross Blood website, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.