Pittsburgh-area blood banks facing stark shortages
National and Pittsburgharea blood banks are urging people to donate blood as the omicron variant presents new challenges to organizations already struggling with historic shortages.
Vitalant, a nonprofit blood-service provider that serves Allegheny Health Network and the UPMC Health System, said in a statement earlier this month that it was experiencing a “historic, two-year low blood supply.” It said blood donations fell short by more than 4,500 in December — a concerning trend that continued into January.
Do I have to be vaccinated?
No, but you can be. “Blood from vaccinated donors is safe for patients because all currently authorized or approved vaccines in the U.S. are non-live vaccines,” said Kristen Lane, the communications manager at Vitalant. She said “mRNA vaccines are not live vaccines and do not use an infectious viral carrier, so they carry no risk of causing disease or interacting with DNA in the person vaccinated or someone who receives their blood.”
She said those who do not feel well should postpone their donation, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, she said, people shouldn’t donate if they’ve tested positive, are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or are not fully vaccinated and live with or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19 within the past two weeks.
If you’ve had COVID-19 and have been symptom-free for 14 days, you are eligible to donate.
People with blood type O, which is the most transfused type, are critically needed.
What impact is the shortage having?
The American Red Cross — which provides nearly 40% of the nation’s blood — said that having less than a one-day supply of critical blood types forced it to limit blood product distributions to hospitals.
“Winter weather across the country and the recent surge of COVID-19 cases are compounding the already dire situation facing the blood supply,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross. “Please, if you are eligible, make an appointment to give blood or platelets in the days and weeks ahead to ensure no patient is forced to wait for critical care.”
This is the latest in what the Red Cross called its “worst blood shortage in more than a decade.” Due to the pandemic, it faced about a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood as
well as a 62% decrease in blood drives at schools and colleges. It said these low supply levels are forcing doctors to make decisions about which patients receive blood transfusions, and who must wait.
How can I help?
People can make appointments to donate blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1800-733-2767). Vitalant can be reached at vitalant.org.
“Now is the time when new blood donors, those that haven’t given in a while and regular donors are all needed to step up and help address this critical health care issue,” said Cliff Numark, Vitalant senior vice president. “Astonishingly, only about 3% of the population donates blood, but most people are eligible. If more people start donating, shortages could be prevented.”