Convalescent Plasma Therapy: How COVID-19 is Shedding Light on Plasma Shortages
Recent news coverage on convalescent plasma therapy has everyone wondering about this potential COVID-19 treatment. While it has promise and manufacturers are collaborating on an unbranded anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal hyperimmune immunoglobulin, it is not yet proven and we still do not know which COVID-19 patients are most likely to benefit from this incredibly scarce resource.
However, plasma therapy is a century-old treatment that is proven for several conditions, including primary immunodeficiencies such as CVID. And we are grateful that this is shedding light on overall plasma shortages and how the general public can help.
Plasma shortages have preceded the current coronavirus pandemic and we previously sprung into action and shared what we learned:
AB blood type is the universal plasma donor type. If you’re one of the 4% of the U.S. population who has AB, please consider donating plasma regularly.
You can donate plasma through the Red Cross every 28 days.
It takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to donate.
You can earn money for donating plasma - even $400 for first time donors in the month of April.
As blood donation centers are scaling up their ability to accept convalescent plasma donations, we assembled a list of resources for how you can help, regardless of whether you have contracted coronavirus.
Find an AABB-accredited blood donation site - includes filter for facilities accepting convalescent plasma
Current guidelines for convalescent plasma donation, developed by the Red Cross and the FDA
General information on convalescent plasma donations, developed by the AABB
General information on all types of plasma donations
Convalescent Plasma Expanded Access Program, coordinated by the Mayo Clinic