Recovered coronavirus patients urged to donate blood plasma
AN urgent appeal has been issued for recovered coronavirus patients to donate their blood plasma in a bid to help the NHS treat people who fall ill during a potential second wave.
The number of appointments booked each week as part of the ongoing NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) convalescent plasma collection has dropped by almost half in the past month, with fewer eligible donors as the number of new infections fell in lockdown.
While some 13,000 donations have been made so far, more are urgently needed to help in the event of a second wave, NHSBT’s chief medical officer, Gail Miflin, said.
A major trial is ongoing looking at how convalescent plasma can be transfused into patients who are struggling to develop their own immune response, but the appeal for donations is now
HAL CRUTTENDEN: Comedian has twice donated plasma after winning 10-day fight with Covid-19.
being described as urgent. Males especially are being encouraged to help, after analysis reported in June showed that men produce more coronavirus antibodies than women, making them better plasma donors.
Results from the trial into the safety and effectiveness of such transfusions are expected later this year, but donations are being collected in advance in order for the NHS to have a stock ready to go.
Dr Miflin said: “We need people to offer to donate now so we are ready to potentially provide an additional line of protection during any second wave.
“The number of new infections has declined greatly which is fantastic news. Fewer people are getting Covid-19.
“This does mean we need to work harder to recruit new donors and we urgently need as many people as possible who have recovered to donate, to help us make as much progress as possible now.”
Comedian Hal Cruttenden, who has donated convalescent plasma twice, after spending 10 days ill with the virus, said: “A lot of people feel powerless and it’s nice to be able to do something that other people can benefit from.”
People can offer to donate convalescent plasma by phoning 0300 123 23 23.