Issue: Implies that blood donations are unsafe when the donor has received an mRNA vaccine, with varying degrees of separating or labeling blood supplies.
Examples of State Bill(s): The following bills were introduced in state houses during the 2024 legislative session.
- Example: SC H5060, KY HB163, WY HB0115
What it means:
- Implies that blood donations are unsafe when the donor has received an mRNA vaccine, with varying degrees of separating or labeling blood supplies.
Bill Talking Points:
Blood donations from vaccinated individuals is safe
- Blood donations from individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine approved or
authorized for use in the U.S., including those utilizing mRNA technology, are safe for
transfusion. - mRNA vaccine technology, like those developed for COVID-19, work by instructing cells to
produce a protein that triggers an immune response. They do not affect the safety of
blood donations. - Similar to other vaccines such as those for measles, mumps or flu, COVID-19 vaccines
are designed to generate an immune response to help protect an individual from illness. - Currently, there are varying deferral periods for blood donors who received a COVID-19
vaccine, but these time frames are organization- and vaccine-dependent, ranging from no
deferral to 28 days. - Despite the variation in deferral policies, there is no evidence that blood donations from
COVID-19-vaccinated donors pose any risk to recipients, and blood transfusions from
donors who received a COVID-19 vaccination or previously had COVID-19 are not
associated with a risk of COVID-19 infection. - Over 81% of the US Population has had at least one vaccine for COVID-19
- Blood donation is crucial for maintaining an adequate blood supply to meet the needs of
patients requiring transfusions for various medical conditions, including emergencies,
surgeries, and chronic illnesses.- Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets.
- One donation can help save more than one life.
- According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.8 million people are
expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2020. Many of them will need blood,
sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
- Bills to limit blood donation are unnecessary and irresponsible:
- This legislation is deceptive to patients and consumers. It undermines confidence in the
highly tested and screened blood donation supply that saves lives. - Discouraging individuals from donating blood solely based on their vaccination status is
irresponsible, and could exacerbate blood shortages and negatively impact public health. - The vaccine components themselves do not replicate through blood transfusions or alter
a person’s DNA. - Blood donations go across state lines, there is no way to enforce this law in other states.
- There is no FDA approved test to look for the vaccine in donor blood.
- This would not be needed because we know that vaccine components do not remain in
the body, but the immune memory to fight off disease does.
- This legislation is deceptive to patients and consumers. It undermines confidence in the
Bottom line:
- Vaccines not only protect oneself, but families, neighbors, and communities. They are especially important for children, older adults, and those who are immunocompromised, and those who may not be able to get vaccinated.
- Vaccinations protect individuals from severe illness, hospitalization, and death. They have helped Americans get back to work and to our daily lives.
Additional Resources:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/bjh.17842
https://www.aabb.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/donors-and-patients/blood-s
upply-chain-infographic.pdf?sfvrsn=99898f8_0
https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help/blood-ne
eds-blood-supply.html
https://www.aabb.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/positions/joint-statement-bl
ood-community-reiterates-the-safety-of-americas-blood-supply-for-patients.pdf?sfvrsn=c2fc3d5
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