FDA Clarifies COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients Can Donate Blood

Recent misinformation suggested that the Red Cross does not accept blood donations from individuals vaccinated against COVID-19, but official statements confirm that FDA-approved vaccine recipients face no donation restrictions.

• Misleading social media posts claimed the Red Cross rejects blood from COVID-19 vaccine recipients, sparking confusion.
• FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines, including those from Pfizer/BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, Moderna, and Novavax, allow for immediate blood donation.
• Individuals vaccinated with live-attenuated COVID-19 vaccines, currently in trials in the U.S., must wait two weeks before donating.
• The Red Cross and FDA emphasize that blood donations from vaccinated individuals are safe and crucial for maintaining supply.
• Misinformation has contributed to vaccine hesitancy and confusion about blood donation eligibility.

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