Convalescent plasma donors must stop after receiving COVID-19 vaccine Can continue donating blood Convalescent plasma and vaccines By Jasmine Ramirez | January 15, 2021 at 5:30 PM MST - Updated January 15 at 10:52 PM TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - As the demand for convalescent plasma grows, the number of eligible donors is dropping. The Red Cross has seen a 250% increase in the need for the lifesaving plasma, given to COVID-19 patients, grow since October. However, if you receive the COVID-vaccine you can no longer donate convalescent plasma. The FDA put out the regulation due to the vaccine being so new. The good news, you can still help save lives after getting vaccinated through donating whole blood, platelets and regular plasma - just not convalescent plasma.