Q and A about blood donation and the COVID-19 vaccine with Dr. Samantha Gomez Ngamsuntikul, Associate Medical Director, South Texas Blood &Tissue Center:
Am I eligible to give blood or platelets after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes you are, according to guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as long as you are feeling well and meet the other donor eligibility requirements. Also, the site of your vaccination(s) must be fully healed.
Does this apply to all three currently available vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson)?
Yes it does. All the currently approved vaccines in this country are a new type that allows you to give blood as soon as you feel OK after your vaccination.
Am I eligible to give if I only have received the first dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine?
Yes you are.
Does donating blood after receiving the vaccine reduce my protection against the virus?
No it doesn’t. There is no evidence to suggest blood donation following any type of vaccination reduces the protection.
Can I donate blood if I haven’t received the vaccine?
Yes, but we’re asking you to postpone your donation for 14 days following a diagnosis of COVID-19, a positive test for an infection or any symptoms.
Visit SouthTexasBlood.org to schedule your donation today.
