THE ESSENTIAL
- Currently, 30,000 blood bags are missing to meet regular transfusion needs in France.
- As of March 16, the sexual orientation of donors will no longer be taken into account. Homosexuals will thus be able to donate blood without a period of abstinence.
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“The situation is critical. (…) The needs are urgent, we need you”. That’s what wrote on Twitter the French Blood Establishment (EFS), on February 10. In this publication, he refers to the level of blood reserves in France, which is currently below the safety threshold and has been for several days. “70,000 bags of red blood cells are now in reserve when 100,000 are needed”reported the establishment.
Low blood supplies, a consequence of the Covid-19 epidemic
“Two years of permanent tensions linked to the impacts generated by Covid-19 (cancellations of collections in companies and universities, lower mobilization of donors, difficulties in recruiting medical personnel) have considerably affected blood collection”, can we read in his press release published on February 8.
The EFS pointed out that the fifth epidemic wave has led many donors and staff members of the establishment to isolate themselves and thus disrupted the usual course of blood product donations (red blood cells, plasma, platelets).
Faced with this situation, which could prove dangerous in the short term for treating patients, the French Blood Establishment called on the French to mobilize and published a “vital emergency bulletin” for the first time in order to reconstitute a good level of stock. “10,000 donations are needed every day to treat patients, the vast majority of whom find blood transfusions the only alternative to being treated”, he recalls.
If one wants to make a donation, what precautions should one have in mind due to Covid-19?
As a reminder, as a general rule, French people aged 18 to 17, in good health and weighing at least 50 kg can donate blood. Not all citizens wishing to donate need to present a vaccination pass to access a blood drive, including when the collection sites are within a hospital compound. However, donors must respect social distancing and hygiene rules in this place.
People affected by Covid-19 or showing symptoms suggestive of the disease must wait 14 days after having tested positive or after the disappearance of symptoms to make a donation. What about donations after vaccination? “It is possible to donate blood without delay after an injection of vaccine against Covid-19”, EFS said. He specified that all donors, vaccinated or not, able to donate can do so.
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