COVID-19 and Blood Donation

As of October 1, 2022, based on CDC’s latest guidance, San Diego Blood Bank does not requires staff, volunteers, blood donors, vendors, contractors, and visitors to wear a face mask inside its facilities or while donating blood. Those who wish to wear a mask may do so freely.

For questions related to blood donation and COVID-19, including a full list of travel and exposure deferrals, please read the Frequently Asked Questions.

• If you have an appointment, please allow extra time as we have implemented enhanced cleaning processes.
• If you have seasonal allergies, please donate when you are not experiencing symptoms. We are currently deferring anyone with symptoms shared with COVID-19.
• If donors cared for, lived with or otherwise have had close contact with an individual(s) diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 infection, they are deferred for 10 days from the last date of exposure with the individual(s). Healthcare workers, please review our FAQs for donation deferrals.
• All blood donors who have been diagnosed with or are suspected of having COVID-19 are deferred for 10 days from the date the symptoms resolved.
• The following COVID-19 vaccines are permitted without a deferral period: AstraZeneca, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer. If you are unsure of the name of the COVID-19 vaccine or it is not listed, you will be deferred from donation for 14 days.
• To donate blood, you must be 17 years or older, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in general good health. Click here to view basic eligibility requirements and to prepare for your blood donation.