Currently, you must not donate if you fall into one of the following categories:
- You have Covid-19 confirmed by a positive test (PCR or LFT)
- You have suspected Covid-19 and are waiting for the results of a PCR test arranged by your doctor or other health care provider
- You have Post-Covid Syndrome, also known as Long Covid
If you have symptoms but haven’t been tested for Covid-19 or have had a negative test result for Covid-19 then whether you can donate will depend on your symptoms.
Long Covid
Long Covid is diagnosed if someone experiences symptoms relating to Covid-19 infection for more than four weeks. If symptoms last 12 weeks or more, this may also be known as Post-Covid-19 Syndrome.
SNBTS do not accept donors with Long Covid until at least six months have passed without symptoms (including fatigue). This is based on the JPAC guidance. It means we do not accept donors until they have been better for at least six months.
SNBTS ask donors to declare, on their donor health check (which must be completed prior to every donation), any changes to their heath, or any infections. Blood donation works on the principles of kindness and mutual trust, and we ask all donors to adhere to the blood donor selection process by providing completely honest answers to all the questions asked. This is to protect their own health and that of the patients who receive their donation. Compliance with all donor selection criteria is crucial, in order to ensure the continued safety of the blood supply.
If you have any questions about our donor selection criteria our medical team will be happy to help. Please give us a call on 0345 90 90 999.
When will I be eligible to donate?
- If you have tested positive for Covid-19 you must wait at least seven days after recovery from your symptoms
- If you have tested positive but haven’t had symptoms, you must wait at least seven days after your last positive test
- If you have had Long Covid, you won’t be able to donate until you have been fully recovered for six months
Recovery from Covid-19
If you have had Covid-19 you must be fully recovered before giving blood.
This means you must:
- have returned to normal activities
- not have ongoing Covid-19 symptoms including fatigue
- not be undergoing tests or follow up.
The only exception to this is changes to taste and smell which can go on for an extended period of time after recovery from Covid-19.
I’ve had my Covid-19 vaccination/booster. Can I donate
- If you’ve had a Covid-19 vaccine (or booster vaccine) you can book in to give blood immediately provided you don’t have any side effects from the vaccination
- If you’ve got a blood donation appointment booked before your vaccination appointment, you can still come to donate.