Covid Vaccination And Blood Donation: No Need To Worry

During Covid-19, blood banks across the globe needed the help of blood donors, including blood drives, to meet the needs of patient care

Blood donation is such a selfless and lifesaving act that one can proud of this noble contribution to humankind. Safe blood and blood products and their transfusion are critical aspects of clinical care as well as it has importance in public health also. It can save millions of lives and improve the quality and health of many patients. The need for blood is universal and perennial. Blood shortage is seen particularly in developing countries but increased all over during Covid-19. It was not sure that donating blood after being affected by COVID 19 is fine. There was seen a decrease in the number of citizens coming forward to donate blood even after getting vaccinated against Covid-19.

During Covid-19, blood banks across the globe needed the help of blood donors, including blood drives, to meet the needs of patient care. Voluntary donors are the only source of blood for people in need. Donating blood not only saves someone’s life but also gives a sense of social responsibility. All blood banks by default, follow the highest standards of infection and safety control. COVID 19 resulted in halt of non-emergency surgical procedures and treatments. When all these services resumed, there was an acute, constant shortage of blood for emergency as well as non-emergency surgical procedures. Blood banks across India follow National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) guidelines for blood donation eligibility. Once donated, blood can be donated safely after three months if all the criteria for donation are fulfilled. This time is required to replenish the stores in the body. This extraordinary effort during a time of unprecedented crisis highlights the crucial role of well-organized, committed voluntary blood donors in form of groups, voluntary organization and Civil society organizations. This could ensure a safe and sufficient blood supply during normal and emergency times.

Earlier as per NBTC, anyone undergoing vaccination against Covid-19 was deferred for 28 days after the last dose. As gap between first two doses was 28 days, it meant that a person cannot donate blood 56 days after taking the first dose. However, the latest guidelines said a vaccinated person can donate blood 14 days after receiving the first or the second vaccine dose. As per Red Cross also one may still donate blood, platelets, or plasma after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. The blood donation process does not expose an individual to the risk of contracting COVID-19. As people are still sceptical about various post covid symptoms and effects as well as there is less awareness about the latest guidelines, the hesitancy around voluntary blood donation is quite evident.

A person has approximately 5 litres of blood in the body. Donating blood takes out only a small amount approximately 500 millilitres. The body’s ability to make antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 relies on the plasma cells. The plasma cells are in the bone marrow and pump out antibodies after vaccination continuously. One may lose a small number of antibodies from blood donation, but these are made up of continuous production. It is safe to donate blood after vaccination and all are encouraged to do so if they are an eligible donor. There have been no reports of the virus spreading through transfusions and causing the clinical disease COVID-19 in transfusion recipients. Blood donors and transfusion recipients should remain masked or follow other public health guidelines as instructed due to the risk of exposure to others around them in healthcare settings

India has Covaxin, Covishield, Sputnik V, and Sputnik Light vaccines. These vaccines are currently playing an important part in the vaccination drive. Whether it is the first, second, or booster shot one can donate blood after taking any of these vaccines. One should give themselves a day or two to ensure that they are feeling well and not experiencing any side effects from the vaccine before making a blood donation. One can also donate if they don’t have symptoms of Covid-19 and feel well when they are about to donate. As most blood donors are in the 18 - 44 age group, majority of which have received at least two doses of COVID Vaccination, its required to call for urging the public to donate blood.