Can I donate blood if I had COVID-19?
What this means
- If you currently have symptoms, wait until they have resolved and you feel well.
- After recovery, most people can donate without a long deferral.
- Getting an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine does not require any wait before donating.
What to do next
Wait until you are symptom-free and feeling healthy, then book.
When to call the center: Call if you had a severe case or were hospitalized, to confirm timing.
If you need to wait
Wait until symptoms have resolved and you feel well.
Exact timing is confirmed by the center. Set a reminder so you do not have to track it.
Set a return reminderWhy this rule exists
As with any respiratory illness, centers wait until you have recovered.
This is general educational guidance, not a final eligibility decision. Donation centers make final eligibility decisions during confidential screening. Rules may vary by center, donation type, location, and current policy.
Were you already turned away for this reason? See the comeback plan
Find a place to donate
Search by city, ZIP, state, or center name, or use your location to see the closest centers.
Related questions
Our no-monetization pledge
BloodBanker does not use affiliate links, paid rankings, or ads on mission pages. We do not sell donor health information. We link to official donation organizations so people can donate safely and locally.
Read the full pledgeSources and review
The guidance on this page reflects published criteria from these organizations. Eligibility and procedures vary by center and country, so confirm specifics with your donation center.
- American Red Cross
- AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Blood Donation
- Canadian Blood Services
- Last reviewed:
- Next review due:
- Reviewed by:
- Reviewed against American Red Cross, AABB, and U.S. FDA donor guidance
- Confidence:
- High confidence