![Clarification on Blood Donation and COVID-19 Vaccination Status by the Red Cross 2 urlhttps3A2F2Fassets.apnews.com2F852Ff22F03b1305c4349a472313373ee7c182Fap273073405127](https://i0.wp.com/theubj.com/uae/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/urlhttps3A2F2Fassets.apnews.com2F852Ff22F03b1305c4349a472313373ee7c182Fap273073405127.jpg?w=1170)
CLAIM: The Red Cross has implemented a ban on blood donations from individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine, labeling the blood as “tainted.”
AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. According to a Red Cross spokesperson, there is no deferral of donors solely based on having received a COVID-19 vaccine that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Such individuals may donate immediately if they are feeling well. Those who have been administered vaccines that include weakened forms of the virus causing COVID-19, or those unsure of which vaccine they received, are advised to wait two weeks prior to donating.
Social media has misrepresented a precautionary question posed by the Red Cross to potential donors, leading to inaccuracies concerning the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine and donor eligibility.
A screenshot from the Red Cross’s RapidPass system shows the question about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, with instructions to contact the Red Cross for clarification on eligibility. This has been grossly misinterpreted in social media posts claiming a ban on blood donations from vaccinated individuals.
The misinformation has spread rapidly, with one post attaining over 3,200 likes and shares, erroneously announcing that certain vaccinated donors are barred from donation. Another post questions the vaccine’s safety, having garnered approximately 42,000 likes and 23,000 shares.
The close examination of vaccination status ensures the exclusion of the live virus from any blood donations. The Red Cross adheres to FDA eligibility guidelines when it comes to blood donation.
People who have been given an FDA-endorsed non-replicating, inactivated, or mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine are immediately eligible to donate blood if they are in good health.
Daniel Parra, a Red Cross spokesperson, affirmed to the AP via email that receiving a COVID vaccine does not make a donor ineligible. The Red Cross’s blood donation eligibility criteria, including those related to COVID-19 vaccines, have been stable since early 2021.
The CDC acknowledges the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, and the notion that vaccinated individuals’ blood donations are “tainted” is false. Adverse events following vaccination are considered rare.
A statement from the Red Cross, America’s Blood Centers, and the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies reassures that blood donations from vaccinated individuals are safe for transfusion.
This clarification is part of the AP’s initiative to address false and misleading information that proliferates online. Learn more about fact-checking at AP.
FAQs on Blood Donation and COVID-19 Vaccination
- Can individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 donate blood to the Red Cross?
- Yes, if they have received an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, they can donate immediately as long as they feel healthy and know the manufacturer of the vaccine.
- Why does the Red Cross ask about COVID-19 vaccination status?
- The Red Cross follows FDA eligibility guidelines and this question is asked to ensure no live virus is present in donated blood.
- Are there any specific vaccines that require donors to wait before donating?
- Those who have received live attenuated vaccines or are unsure which vaccine they have received need to wait two weeks before donating.
- Are blood donations from individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 safe?
- Yes, according to the Red Cross and other blood donation organizations, blood from vaccinated donors is safe for transfusion.
- Is the claim that vaccinated individuals’ blood is “tainted” true?
- No, this claim is false. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and vaccinated individuals can safely donate blood.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the circulating misinformation regarding a ban on donating blood by the Red Cross for recipients of COVID-19 vaccines is false. The Red Cross allows individuals who have received FDA-approved vaccines to donate blood provided they are in good health, with a brief deferral period in specific circumstances. The safety of the vaccines and the blood donations from vaccinated individuals is supported by both the CDC and the blood donation community.