You may still donate blood, platelets or plasma after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine is important in determining your blood donation eligibility. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and blood donation, please scroll down to the drop-down category.
The Red Cross follows a high standard of safety and infection control. Donors are no longer required to wear a face mask, but the Red Cross will adhere to more stringent face mask requirements per state and/or local guidance, or at the request of our blood drive sponsors. See more about our safety protocols below.
Because volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need, donors are urged to give now to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.
The American Red Cross is testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies for a limited time. FINAL DAYS: The American Red Cross is testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies through June 3. Results may indicate an antibody response after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or possible exposure to this coronavirus – and may identify donations with antibody levels necessary to potentially help COVID-19 patients with weakened immune systems. Only those feeling healthy and well should present to donate, and appointments are strongly encouraged. Test results will be available to donors via the American Red Cross Blood Donor App or at RedCrossBlood.org within one to two weeks.
The Red Cross follows a high standard of safety and infection control, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need. As hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, donors are urged to give now to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.
"We need people to start turning out in full force to give blood." That urgent call-to-action coming from Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the US Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), as fear about the coronavirus is keeping people from wanting to donate blood.