EFS calls urgently for donors due to “too low” reserves

TheFrench blood establishment (EFS) launches this Monday a call to “mobilize massively” for blood donation. And there is urgency. “With less than 85,000 bags, blood reserves are now too low and the situation is very fragile, in particular on blood groups O and B”, notes the EFS, which calls on people to come “now” to do so. a donation.

The May holidays were accompanied by a significant drop in blood reserves, followed by a drop in attendance at blood drives with deconfinement, explains the public establishment. At least 100,000 bags are needed to have a reserve level that allows enough blood of each blood group to be available in all hospitals.

Open to Covid vaccinees

“The account is not there. We are missing more than 2,000 donors every week, ”we told the EFS. “Ideally before the summer, we should go up to 120,000 pockets to anticipate the summer declines,” he adds. Around 500,000 patients are transfused per year, to which are added 500,000 treated with drugs derived from blood plasma (immunoglobulins, coagulation factors, albumin, etc.)

It is possible to donate blood after an injection of the Covid-19 vaccine, without any postponement period to be observed, underlines the EFS. As for people who have had symptoms of Covid, they must wait 14 days after symptoms disappear to donate blood. All precautionary measures are taken for blood drives in order to avoid the risk of transmission of the coronavirus, with the wearing of a mask compulsory for all, accompanied by measures of distancing and reinforced hygiene, adds the EFS.

Donation by appointment = zero waiting

Most collection sites offer donation by appointment to reduce waiting time and better manage the care of each donor while respecting distancing measures.

A site (dondesang.efs.sante.fr) and an app (“Blood donation”) are available to find out the collection points and the “mon-rdv-dondesang.efs.sante.fr” site allows you to make an appointment. you.