Eligibility to Donate Blood: Criteria for Donation and Factors Influencing Them
In a significant development, individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 can now donate blood and plasma, provided they meet certain criteria. This change in blood donation guidelines is a testament to the ongoing efforts to combat the global pandemic.
To be eligible, recovered COVID-19 patients must be symptom-free for at least 14 days and have no ongoing symptoms or recent exposure to active COVID-19 cases. They must also meet the standard blood donation requirements, such as being between the ages of 18 and 65, weighing at least 50 kg, and having a hemoglobin level of 12.5 g/dL or higher.
For those donating convalescent plasma, which contains antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients, additional criteria apply. Donors must be fully recovered and symptom-free, and they must meet the regular blood donation criteria. The plasma is screened for safety before transfusion into patients with COVID-19.
It is important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not issued any new guidance specifically changing COVID-19-related deferral periods in the most recent 2025 updates. This suggests that current COVID-19 blood donation guidelines remain consistent with these criteria.
Donating blood is a valuable way to help doctors and nurses save lives. However, there are certain groups of people who are not eligible to donate. These include individuals who have used needles for non-prescribed drugs, steroids, or other substances. The waiting period for different drugs before donating blood varies.
The minimum age to donate blood is 16 years, and the minimum weight is 110 pounds. Pregnant women are not eligible to donate, but women who are breastfeeding can donate blood after waiting six weeks following childbirth.
Sex workers and those who test positive for certain conditions, such as HIV or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), are not eligible to donate. People with type AB blood can donate AB elite plasma every 28 days, with a limit of 13 times a year.
Interestingly, AB elite plasma donors can donate plasma, which is a universal donor plasma. The donation interval and limit for AB elite plasma donations were not specified in the text.
For those who are eligible and wish to donate, it is crucial to remember that donating blood is a safe and simple process. Donors can rest assured that their health and safety are prioritised, and that their donation can make a difference in the lives of many.
- Despite the development in allowing recovered COVID-19 patients to donate blood and plasma, individuals with piercings or tattoos, certain medical conditions like HIV or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), or those who have used needles for non-prescribed drugs, steroids, or other substances are still ineligible to donate.
- In contrast to the ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not issued new guidance specifically changing COVID-19-related deferral periods in the most recent 2025 updates, suggesting that current COVID-19 blood donation guidelines remain consistent.
- Those who have recovered from COVID-19 and meet the criteria, including being free of symptoms for at least 14 days, can donate convalescent plasma, which is screened for safety before being transfused into patients with COVID-19, thereby contributing significantly to health and wellness.
