After the Centre increased the gap between two vaccine shots, activists want it to now allow people to donate blood in the interim period and not wait for 60 days without donating.
MUMBAI: After the Centre increased the gap between two vaccine shots, activists want it to now allow people to donate blood in the interim period and not wait for 60 days without donating.
The central health ministry, though, has not yet issued updated guidelines on blood donations between vaccine shots. With the mass vaccination drive for the 18-15 age group who also comprise the biggest group of blood donors scheduled to start on May 1, NGOs involved in voluntary blood donation are worried that the earlier notification would lead to blood stocks dipping further in the city.
BENGALURU: Providing clarity on the deferral period for blood donation after Covid vaccination, Dr Sunil Gupta, director of National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) said donation can be done 28 days after the first dose.
In his reply to STOI’s query, Dr Gupta said a person who is not taking the second dose immediately after completion of 28 days of the first shot can proceed with blood donation.
Earlier, NBTC had issued a notification on March 5 stating, “28 days post vaccination deferral after the last dose of Covid-19 vaccination, irrespective of the type of vaccine received”. This got blood banks worried about blood shortage as from May 1 all those aged above 18 are allowed to get jabbed against SARS-CoV2.
Foreseeing shortage of blood following guidelines for blood donation from a donor only after completing 28 days from vaccination, blood banks in Mysuru are making frantic efforts to stock blood units
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