Bengaluru: The number of blood donors is decreasing due to the surge in Covid cases and the waiting period after vaccination.
Blood banks are now requesting young citizens to come forward as they are facing a supply shortage since the pandemic started.
The National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) issued an order on March 5 affirming that vaccine recipients cannot donate blood for 28 days after taking the second vaccine dose.
A person who takes Covaxin cannot donate blood for two months as the break between the doses is four weeks. Whereas, a person who takes Covishield will not be eligible to donors for around three months.
As per the new guidelines, the willing donors should provide a self-declaration form on their vaccination status. Some have launched campaigns to sign up people aged between 18 and 45.
Some regular donors who are 45 plus are willing to donate their blood before their vaccination.
Dr Latha Jagannathan, the medical director and managing trustee of BMST stated that there are more volunteers in the age group of 18-45 than in 45-65. But, due to Covid-19, blood donation has decreased to a great extent. She added, “In any case, we need people who are 18 to 45 years old to come forward to make up for the shortage.”
The authorities also show concern over the decrease in the donors once the vaccination of everyone aged over 18 will begin.
“This is a concern, especially since colleges are closed”, said Dr C Shivaram who heads transfusion medicine at Manipal Hospitals. He also stated that they were losing donors every day due to the vaccination drive.
Rajat Agarwal, co-founder, Sankalp India Foundation, a network of blood banks, said, “There is no clear cut evidence as to what happens if a vaccinated person gives blood. This requires a large study.” The medical community has opposed the NBTC order.
For every unit of blood provided to the patient, a family member will have to contribute one as many blood banks in the city are asking for a replacement.
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