The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Red Cross urging people to give blood before flu season picks up
With flu season just starting, the American Red Cross is urging healthy donors to give blood or platelets to help create a strong supply for when the contagious illness hits its full stride.
Since blood can only be given by healthy donors, a severe flu season will prevent people from donating, according to a news release from the Red Cross. Getting a shot now increases the likelihood of being well enough to donate once flu season kicks in.
The Red Cross also is urging people to get a flu shot to help prevent a bad flu season — doubly important this year, as the nation and state are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Get the flu vaccine this year to help protect the nation from the virus but also to ensure that patients continue to have access to lifesaving blood products,” the Red Cross said in a release. “There is no waiting period to give blood or platelets after receiving a flu shot as long as the donor is symptom-free and feverfree. There is no risk of transmitting the influenza virus after receiving a flu vaccination.”
Those who have the flu, or another illness, should wait until they have recovered completely before donating.
The Red Cross also is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity.
To donate blood, make an appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
Those who donate by
Nov. 11 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. Those who come to give in October are also automatically entered for a chance to
win a $1,000 Amazon.com gift card. Five lucky people will win. Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Unite.