Status: 07/27/2021 12:31 p.m.
There is currently a massive shortage of blood reserves in Germany. As a result of the corona pandemic, stocks have decreased, and vacation time is also contributing to the shortage. The Federal Ministry of Health calls for donations.
Blood reserves are currently becoming scarce in Germany. Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) and the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) therefore called nationwide for blood and plasma donations.
The stock of blood reserves has decreased significantly due to the corona pandemic and currently also due to the vacation time, said the federal headquarters in Cologne. In addition, as a result of the flood disaster, blood preparations were urgently needed in some regions of Germany in order to be able to treat the many injured. “According to information from blood donation services, the situation is so serious that the reserves for emergencies are already running out,” said the BZgA.
Spahn: “Every blood donation helps”
To make matters worse, according to the Federal Agency, the infrastructure in the areas affected by the flood is partially so damaged that some blood donation services are currently unable to offer appointments. Donors should therefore ask the donation services about possible dates. Alternatively, they can switch to regions that are not affected by the floods.
Spahn emphasized that every donation helps to alleviate people’s suffering and to ensure supplies. The Acting Director of the Federal Central Office, Martin Dietrich, appealed to German citizens to donate blood in view of the “dramatic decline in blood and plasma donations” and thus to make a significant contribution to safeguarding patient care throughout Germany. “Necessary blood transfusions can only be secured if enough people agree to donate.”
Donation also possible after corona vaccination
In Germany, people between the ages of 18 and 68 can donate blood. A blood donation from older donors is also possible after an individual medical decision. Donations can also be made after vaccination against the coronavirus. Many blood donation services allow blood or plasma to be donated as early as 24 hours after the vaccination. According to the experts, the success of the vaccination is not restricted by the blood or plasma donation.