Blood donation: reserves too low before the holidays

The number of blood bags is decreasing day by day and the Covid-19 is not helping the collection.

There is currently a lack of 30,000 to cover transfusion needs during the holiday season, worries the French Blood Establishment (EFS) on Monday, which is appealing for donations.

"Due to the particularly degraded health context (of the Covid-19), blood reserves are currently very low: less than 85,000 bags of blood are available today while 115,000 are needed", indicates the EFS in a press release.

For the holidays, you will (really) make people happy!

https://t.co/pqa4UQ8b7z pic.twitter.com/tqHEecLejX

- French Blood Establishment (@EFS_dondesang) December 6, 2021

“The EFS reminds us - with the approach of the end-of-year festivities and at the dawn of 2022 - that the mobilization for blood donation must continue.

Patients always need transfusions, ”continues the public establishment responsible for collecting the blood.

The sanitary pass is not necessary

In the context of the Covid, wearing a mask is mandatory when donating blood, "accompanied by enhanced distancing and hygiene measures", but "the health pass is not requested".

In addition, "people who have shown symptoms of Covid must wait 14 days after symptoms disappear to donate blood."

A list of collection points can be viewed on the dondesang.efs.sante.fr website or on the Blood Donation app.

The EFS regularly launches such appeals for donations: in September 2020, the establishment was already sounding the alarm by announcing that the reserves had reached the threshold of "82,000 red blood cell pockets", that is to say a "level never reached. for 10 years ".

In question, blood drives in companies and universities can no longer be organized due to teleworking, health protocols or distance courses.

However, they represent 80% of blood donations.