The blood supply has thinned considerably since the appearance of the Omicron variant in December. To remedy this, the French blood establishment organizes the “My blood for others” collection. It is making its big comeback from January 19 to 22, 2022. Le Capitole is hosting the highly anticipated event.
« The blood supplies have fallen sharply since DecemberPriscilla Agostini, a member of the lFrench Blood Establishment (EFS). Indeed, the current reserve of 6,000 blood bags is not enough and should be set at 9,000. According to her, the appearance of the Omicron variant, considered highly contagious, has discouraged the most fearful from going to the collection.
In Occitania, 1000 bags of blood must be collected per day to ensure the need for transfusions. However, for some time, blood collection sites only reach 80-90% of this target”, explains Priscilla Agostini.
Nevertheless, the two blood collection sites in Toulouse are subject to ” good attendance, if we compare to other cities“, she assures. As a reminder, two collection points are open all year round in Toulouse: the city center rue Lapeyrousse and the Purpan hospital.
Blood donations flirt with the Covid19 alert threshold
The constant decline in blood donations since the start of the health crisis is, however, only a received idea. “During the first confinement, blood donations, considered as reasons for leaving, exploded“, says Priscilla Agostini. A drop in the number of donors was then felt during the deconfinement. Since then, donations have varied depending on the appearance of Covid19 variants. ” Since the start of the crisis, we have been operating in waves, too”, she explains.
Sanitary period requires, measures will be taken: social distancing, wearing a mask, washing hands… But always in “a friendly atmosphere”, explains Jean-Claude Brocart, Founder and Member of the Rotary-Club. And for good reason, more than 300 Rotarian volunteers are expected to welcome and reassure the thousands of donors. ” Snacks are also provided”, he recalls.
Nevertheless, several things are necessary to know to donate blood ( to be found on the site of the town hall of Toulouse ):
- The health pass is not required to donate blood
- It is possible to donate blood without delay, before or after an injection of the Covid-19 vaccine
- People who have had symptoms of Covid-19 must wait 14 days after symptoms disappear to be able to donate blood, or 14 days after testing positive
- A period of at least 8 weeks must be respected between 2 whole blood donations
Dates and times:
- Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 January from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday 21 and Saturday 22 January from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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