COVID-19 Response

Covid-19 Response

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Blood Donation & The COVID-19 Vaccine

There is no deferral period for donors who have been vaccinated with the currently approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines (i.e., Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J).

To view the latest frequently asked questions regarding blood donation and the COVID-19 vaccine, click below.

Masks/Face Coverings Are Optional

LifeStream Blood Bank has lifted the mask requirement for donors only. Mask-wearing is optional for donors at all LifeStream facilities.

Masks are optional for employees and volunteers.

COVID-19 & Blood Donation

Donors who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who had COVID-19 symptoms–may donate after at least 10 days of complete symptom resolution. Donors who had a positive COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test (e.g. PCR or antigen test) but had no symptoms–may donate at least 10 days after the date of the positive test.

Notice to donors – do NOT give blood IF:

You have had a fever, chills, new loss of smell or taste, cough, body aches, fatigue, or sore throat in the last 48 hours.
You have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 10 days.
You are currently waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test because you felt sick or were exposed to someone with COVID-19.
You have reason to believe you might be sick with COVID-19.

Steps WE'RE Taking

We strongly encourage social distancing when possible.
Only healthy people are encouraged to give blood. In fact, donors must be feeling well and free of illness symptoms, including fever, to be eligible to donate.
People who meet certain at-risk criteria for COVID-19 are deferred ahead of time from donating.
We are limiting the amount of people permitted in the donor centers and mobile drives. We may ask you to leave a mobile phone number and wait in your car until your turn is called.
Our staff wear gloves and personal protective gear and they wipe down donor-touched areas often and after every collection using a disinfectant.
Staff use sterile, single-use collection sets for each donor and scrub the donor’s arm for 30 seconds before the collection.
Our staff are screened every day for COVID-19-related symptoms and are required to leave work if they feel any symptoms during the day.
Staff who don’t feel well are required to stay home.
In addition to the vigorous FDA-mandated testing of all blood components donated, LifeStream staff follows rigorous safety and sterilization protocol within our mobile and fixed donation centers. This is part of our commitment to our donors–safety from reception to collection to the end product.

Steps YOU Can Take

Actions you can take to keep safe, according to the CDC:

Wash hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and avoid hand to face contact, a primary mechanism of transmission.
Clean work surfaces in accordance with established infection control procedures.
Practice social distancing when possible.
Self-quarantine after caring for someone who is sick.
Stay home when experiencing symptoms of illness.
Use good cough etiquette; cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.

Important Information

There is no known risk to the safety of the nation’s blood supply and there are no reports of spread of this or any respiratory virus, by blood donation.
Giving blood is not a risk for donors to contract COVID-19.
Misinformation will negatively impact the blood supply. (For example, if donors refrain from blood donation over fear of contracting the virus.)
LifeStream is actively monitoring the situation, in collaboration with the AABB, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other blood banks. And we will efficiently implement any necessary additional changes as new information emerges from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or our regulatory bodies.