The national blood inventory is at its lowest level for this time of the year since 2015, according to the Red Cross. For certain blood types — O positive and O negative — there was less than a half day’s supply available at times in September. However, the Red Cross said that blood and platelets of all types are needed by hospitals. The Red Cross stressed that individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine are not prevented from donating blood or platelets. “We were putting off potentially very bloody surgeries because our hospital was aware of how low our blood supply was at that time,” said Jennifer Andrews, a professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. It’s not just Nashville. Other blood suppliers around the country are facing similar shortages, she added. “This isn’t something that is regional,” she said. Those who are eligible can schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). All blood types are needed.
NCPA
