Csl Plasma Provides Free Flu Vaccines For Us Plasma Donors
Vouchers enable donors at more than 290 U.S. CSL Plasma donation centers to access free flu shots at Walgreens pharmacy locations
- Donors who donate plasma beginning Sept. 1 are eligible to receive the flu vaccine voucher.
- Donors will receive their flu vaccine voucher within 24 hours after their second plasma donation within the calendar month. Vouchers for one free flu vaccination will be sent through our CSL
- Plasma donor app, which can be found in the App Store and Apps on Google Play. Vouchers will be shared via text and email if a donor has not downloaded the donor app.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations permit an eligible donor to donate plasma once in a two-day period and no more than twice in a seven-day period.
- Donors can donate plasma after receiving the flu vaccine.
Answers To More Questions About:
CDC does not keep vaccination records or determine how vaccination records are used. To update your records with vaccines you received while outside of the United States, you may:
- Contact the immunization information system in your state. You can find state IIS information on the CDC website.
- Contact your healthcare provider or your local or state immunization program through your states health department.
The CDC-labeled white COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards are only issued to people vaccinated in the United States. CDC recommends you keep your documentation of being vaccinated in the other country as proof of vaccination. CDC also recommends checking with your primary care provider or state health department for options to document your vaccination status domestically.
If you have received all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or is listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization , then you are considered to be fully vaccinated. This currently includes the following vaccines:
Visit the clinical considerations webpage for more information.
While COVID-19 vaccines were developed rapidly, all steps were taken to make sure they are safe and effective:
Learn more about developing COVID-19 vaccines.
Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 because:
Related pages:
Common Questions And Donation Restrictions
Age
There is no maximum age to give blood. The minimum age to donate whole blood is 15 years old. The minimum age to donate platelets and plasma is 17 years old.
Antibiotics
You can donate blood if you have completed the prescribed dose of antibiotics and no longer have any symptoms of what caused them to be prescribed.
Blood Pressure
Before donation, every potential donor has his or her blood pressure taken to ensure readings are safely within guidelines to donate. Extreme levels are 90/50 and 180/100. Below the first or above the second will defer the potential donor. And you always get a free check to know for sure!
Cancer
- If you currently have any form of cancer, you may not donate.
- If you have non-melanoma skin cancer , you may donate as soon as you are healed from the complete removal of the area involved.
- For melanoma skin cancer, you must wait 1 year from the date of treatment completion.
- If you have ever had leukemia or lymphoma you may not donate .
- All other types of cancer are acceptable IF your doctor has declared you cancer-free and your treatment is complete. Note: Females with breast cancer who are taking hormone-blocking medications are eligible, and donors who are cancer-free but have radioactive implants are also eligible.
Diabetes
Heart and Lung Problems
High blood pressure
Low Iron or Anemia
Medications
Pregnancy
Sexual Contact
Tattoos and Piercings
Travel
Vaccinations/Immunizations
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Flu Vaccine Blood Donation Both Help Save Lives
Healthy donors are needed to maintain blood supply
The American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to give blood or platelets to ensure a strong blood supply for patients as the U.S. braces for flu season while in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flu shot doesnt affect blood donation eligibility
Medical experts are urging people to get the flu shot to avoid a flu epidemic on top of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Because blood can only be given by those who are feeling well, a severe flu season could create additional challenges to maintaining a sufficient blood supply for hospital patients in need.
Get the flu vaccine this year to help protect the nation from the virus but also to ensure that patients continue to have access to lifesaving blood products. There is no waiting period to give blood or platelets after receiving a flu shot as long as the donor is symptom-free and fever-free. There is no risk of transmitting the influenza virus after receiving a flu vaccination.
For those that have the flu, it is important to wait until they no longer exhibit flu symptoms, have recovered completely and feel well before attempting to donate. Donors must feel healthy and well on the day of donation.
Stay healthy this flu season and make an appointment to donate bloodRedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
Important COVID-19 information for donors
How to donate blood
About the American Red Cross
Whats Involved In Donating Blood
Whether you donate at a mobile drive or at a center, your experience will involve the same steps. You can drop in, but making an appointment in advance helps us give you the best experience possible. The process is easy and safe. Bring photo id with you. You will be registered, and fill out a questionnaire to confirm that you are eligible to donate that day. After a short interview and health check with the technician, you will be on the cot for your donation. Afterwards, youll be invited to refreshments, and then be on your way.
I am not sure if I am eligible to donate. How can I find out?
Your questions may be answered on our eligibility page. If you have a specific question regarding your eligibility to donate blood and would like to discuss it with someone, you can email or call 656-3077.
What are the different types of blood that can be donated?
You can find details on different types of donations here. The most common is a whole blood donation, which usually takes less than one hour in total. You can do apheresis donations of platelets, plasma, or double red cells a process that takes 90 120 minutes. We can help you determine what works best for you, and how your donation can help patients most.
Where can I donate?
You can find a list of centers here. All of our centers have parking onsite or nearby.
Or you can find current listings of mobile drives here so you can donate near where you live, work or go to school.
Why are some people not eligible to donate?
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What Can Disqualify You From Donating Plasma
If youre interested in donating plasma, requirements exist for a rigorous screening as part of the plasma donation process. Part of the reason that the screening process exists is to protect those receiving the donations, many of whom have compromised health. It also ensures that the donors themselves are in good enough physical health to avoid the side effects of donating plasma.
The requirements for donating plasma are fairly consistent. You must be at least 16 years old, weigh over 110 pounds, and have a valid ID. Do they drug test you before donating plasma? Not generally people who take certain prescription drugs, show signs of injectable drug use, or are visibly intoxicated are not allowed to donate plasma.
Part of the reason that the screening process exists is to protect those receiving the donations, many of whom have compromised health.
Certain health conditions also prevent you from donating, such as pregnancy or recent childbirth. If youve had dental work in the past 72 hours, youll be deferred. Also, if youve received the MMR vaccine or had chickenpox in the past month or taken antibiotics orally in the past 2448 hours or by injection in the past 72 hours, youre also deferred.
I Was Stationed In The Military And Spent Time Overseas Can I Still Donate
Shepeard Community Blood Center is now prepared to accept donations from military members who were previously deferred. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently finalized guidance regarding travel or time spent in certain European countries or on military bases in Europe.Many previously deferred military members will be able to donate blood, platelets, and plasma under the new guidelines. For example, those who were deferred for time spent in Germany, Italy, and Spain will now be able to donate. This includes active and retired military personnel and their dependents, as well as civilians who worked on military bases.Some individuals will still be deferred and unable to donate due to their previous travel, and these include:
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Side Effects Of Donating Plasma
Donating plasma can have side effects that are typically minor, but if its your first time donating, you may wish to have a ride home, just in case. Bruising and nerve irritation are among the most common, usually around the injection site. It may have mild swelling, which can be treated with cold packs. Nerve irritation causes immediate, intense pain at the injection site and can cause shooting pain down the arm and into the hand. If this happens, alert the technician theyll immediately remove the needle. This should eliminate the stabbing pain, although some mild discomfort may remain for a day or two afterward.
More serious risks of donating plasma may be a drop in blood pressure, which can result in light-headedness or fainting. Some people experience this as a result of fear of needles or having blood drawn. Other possible side effects include sweating and paleness, weakness, sudden warmness, or nausea or vomiting. Dizziness and blurred or tunnel vision may also occur.
More serious risks of donating plasma may be a drop in blood pressure, which can result in light-headedness or fainting.
If a mild reaction occurs, the donation is typically paused, calcium may be given to you to eliminate these side effects of donating plasma. However, with a severe citrate reaction, the donation process is halted. You may need emergency attention.
How To Donate Plasma
Expect the plasma donation process to take 1 to 2 hours. If its your first time at the donation center, the initial paperwork and health screening may take longer. Depending on how fast the blood draw occurs, the actual donation part takes roughly an hour.
To donate, make an appointment at a reputable plasma donation center. If you arent sure where to go, check with your doctor or a local hospital for recommendations. Currently, there are more than 700 licensed and certified plasma collection centers in the US and Europe Licensing means that your donation will be executed by a trained medical professional in a highly controlled, sterile environment.
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I’m Anemic Can I Donate
The acceptable hemoglobin range varies based on sex. For women, the acceptable range is 12.5 – 19.5. For men, it is 13.0 – 19.5. If your hemoglobin is in the acceptable range when we check it, you are okay to donate – regardless of if you are anemic or not. Any reading outside of this range will defer you from donating that day.
You Can’t Have A Fever Above 99 Degrees Cough Sniffles Or A Runny Nose On The Day Of Donation
Written by Mansi Kohli | Published : June 7, 2017 10:50 AM IST
A common cold is a viral infectious disease, which affects the upper respiratory tract and your nose, voice box and your throat. The basic symptoms for a cold include coughing, sneezing, running nose, fever and headache at times. A flu or called influenza, is a respiratory illness which is highly contagious. Symptoms of a flu include high fever, cold, fatigue and aching limbs and joints. In both of these situations, full body rest is recommended to the patient and the patient is given antibiotics and antivirals for the same. Dr Sudha Menon, Director – Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road says that since you have been taking treatment, by using antibiotics and antivirals, you are advised not to donate blood for at least 10 days. It is advised that you are free of flu and cold symptoms, for at least 48 hours, before you donate blood. This is because donating with cold will lower your immune system, and will further push you towards lingering illness and slower healing times, and even pneumonia in some unfortunate cases. And you wouldn t want to mess up with your body s system and further attract chronic or serious complications, right?
Image source: Shutterstock
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Flu Vaccination Does Not Prevent Blood Donation
Flu Vaccination Does Not Prevent Blood Donation
Flu season is underway, and it is expected that more than half of the U.S. population will get a flu vaccine this year according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases . However, the American Red Cross does not defer individuals from donating blood after receiving the influenza vaccine if they are symptom-free and meet all other donation eligibility requirements.
Important Flu and Blood Facts
The flu vaccine can be administered by a flu shot or intranasal. Neither are cause for a blood donation deferral and there is no risk of transmitting the influenza virus after receiving the vaccine. Additionally, influenza virus has not been shown to be transmitted through blood transfusion.
For those that have the flu, it is important to wait until they no longer exhibit flu symptoms, have recovered completely and feel well before attempting to donate. All blood donors must feel healthy and well on the day of donation.
How Healthy Individuals Can Donate
Learn more about how to stay healthy this flu season so you can help patients in need. Individuals can find more information about preventing the flu on redcross.org, as well as receive guidance on the flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Schedule an appointment to give blood with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa.
Why Blood Donation Is Important
Since there is not an artificial substitute for blood, physicians rely on blood donation to save the lives of approximately 4.5 million people each year.
Blood transfusions are used in surgery, for traumatic injuries, cancer patients, chronic diseases, and for those with blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and hemophilia.
Medical facilities rely on a consistent supply of blood from donors to meet the needs of its patients and to ensure they are prepared for emergencies.
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Things To Know Before You Donate Blood
In order to donate whole blood, youll need to:
- Be in good health and feeling well.
- Be at least 16 years old in most states.
- Weigh at least 110 pounds.
- Wait 56 days after each blood donation.
Continued
Eligibility requirements may differ if you want to donate only platelets or plasma. For example, you can donate platelets every 7 days for up to 24 times a year, and you need to be at least 17 years old.
In some cases, you cant donate blood based on certain health issues or your travel history. Common reasons include:
- Having the flu or a cold or not feeling well on the day of the donation. Make another appointment after youre feeling better.
- Taking certain prescription medications such as blood thinners. Most over-the-counter drugs are fine. If youre not sure, ask your doctor.
- Having low iron levels.
- Traveling to or living in malaria-risk countries within a certain period of time before your donation. Check with your local blood donation center about when youre next eligible.
If youre planning to donate blood but youre not sure if youre healthy enough, ask your doctor. You can also contact blood drive centers like the American Red Cross at 800-RED CROSS to check if youre eligible.
American Red Cross: Answers to common questions about COVID-19 vaccines and blood, platelet or plasma donation eligibility, When can I donate blood after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine? Requirements by Donation Type, Platelet Donation.
Pagination
Can You Donate Blood After Getting The Covid
This is totally fine to do, according to the American Red Cross. There are a few things to know upfront, though:
- You’ll need to provide the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine you received when you come in to donate.
- There is no waiting period after you get the COVID-19 vaccine, as long as you’re feeling OK.
The American Red Cross specifically says that you can donate blood whenever you want after you receive a vaccine made by AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer .
The organization also says that “eligible blood donors who received a live attenuated COVID-19 vaccine or do not know what type of COVID-19 vaccine they received must wait two weeks before giving blood.” However, that’s a little confusing since none of the COVID-19 vaccines currently available are live-attenuated vaccines .
According to William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine says this is most likely a blanket statement. It’s a “very standard restriction” that applies to all kinds of vaccines before blood donation. Those live-attenuated vaccines they’re referencing likely refer to the ones in use against conditions like yellow fever, measles, and chickenpox. “But the number of adults to get that are very, very few,” Dr. Schaffner tells Health.
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