Posts falsely claim that blood donations from people vaccinated against COVID-19 are unsafe

Posts in both English and Spanish are falsely claiming that blood donations from people vaccinated against COVID-19 are not safe, based on a preprint literature review from Japan. The study the users cite recommends suspending mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations to avoid “spike protein contamination.”

Recommendation: These types of posts falsely equate COVID-19 vaccines with “contamination,” which may discourage patients from donating blood, receiving necessary blood transfusions, and getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Debunking messaging may emphasize that the paper referenced in these posts is not peer-reviewed and cites several well-known anti-vaccine advocates. The Red Cross, along with other similar organizations, has confirmed that “blood donations from individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine approved or authorized for use in the U.S. are safe for transfusion.” Additional messaging may emphasize that receiving a blood transfusion from a donor who has been vaccinated against COVID-19 does not transfer the vaccine to the recipient. The CDC recommends the updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months and older.