While there is no inherent risk of getting coronavirus when you donate blood, donors and staff are required to wear masks or reasonable cloth-based face coverings. Read our COVID-19 FAQs.

Welcome, Donor!

Blood Donation Eligibility

You may be wondering if you can donate blood. Donating blood is safe and easy to do. If you're in good health and meet the general eligibility criteria, then you are likely able to give blood. If you meet all eligibility criteria below, please schedule a donation to transform the lives of patients in need. If you've got a tattoo, traveled abroad or take medications and wonder if these affect your eligibility, please review how these might impact your eligibility.

  • Must be at least 16 years old (16- and some 17-year-olds must bring a signed permission form from a parent or guardian, if required by state or school).
  • Weigh at least 110 pounds. Certain height/weight criteria may apply for donors 22 years old or younger.
  • Be in good general health.
  • For your safety and to ensure a positive donation experience, make sure you eat within two hours ahead of your donation. Drink plenty of water that day and 24 to 48 hours beforehand. Feel free to help yourself to something to eat and drink in our refreshment area.
  • Bring your ID—something with your name and one of the following: date of birth, donor ID number or your photo.
  • You must wait eight weeks between whole blood donations. Learn more about specific intervals for other types of donation.
  • You should not be under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs at the time of donation.

Platelet donors should avoid aspirin and/or aspirin-containing products 48 hours prior to donation and other anti-platelet medications as listed here.

Double red cell donors must meet certain height and weight requirements.

NOTE: If you have received the COVID-19 vaccine or participated in a COVID-19 vaccine trial, you are currently NOT eligible to donate convalescent plasma (also referred to as COVID Plasma). You ARE eligible to donate blood or platelets if you meet all general blood donation eligibility criteria.

To be eligible for convalescent plasma donation, you must:

1. Have had COVID-19 symptoms plus a prior laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19, either by a positive nasal/oral swab test OR a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies requested by your health care provider
  • Have complete resolution of symptoms for at least 28 days OR if you had no symptoms, wait 28 days from a positive swab (but not antibody) test
  • Meet all other donor eligibility for an automated plasma donation

OR

2. Have had a positive antibody test* performed at a Vitalant blood center after 08/31/2020, with or without COVID symptoms
  • Have complete resolution of symptoms for at least 28 days
  • Meet all other donor eligibility for an automated plasma donation

*That is, a positive (or P) result in the COVID Supplemental test in your donor portal. Note: active convalescent plasma donors will not have a Supplemental test performed, and only the COVID Antibody test will be performed on their blood samples. For more information, go to Understanding Your COVID-19 Antibody Test Results – For Convalescent Plasma Donors.

Unlike plasma that is donated specifically for patient transfusion, source plasma is collected and used to develop lifesaving medicines and therapies for patients with neurological disorders, immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders and more. Currently, Vitalant only offers voluntary source plasma donation opportunities to people who live in the Sacramento area.

Source plasma donors have specific eligibility requirements. Please call us at 877-258-4825 for more information.
If you have received the COVID-19 vaccine or participated in a COVID-19 vaccine trial:
  • You ARE eligible to donate blood or platelets if you meet all general blood donation eligibility criteria
  • You are currently NOT eligible to donate convalescent plasma (also referred to as COVID Plasma)
You should NOT donate today if:
  • In the last 4 weeks, you had symptoms from a lab-diagnosed or suspected COVID-19 infection and have not had a subsequently negative nasopharyngeal swab test result.
  • In the last 2 weeks, you have lived with or been in close contact with individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 infection.
  • In the last 2 weeks, you are a health care worker who has been caring for a patient diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 and have not consistently been able to use recommended personal protective equipment (face mask, gown and gloves).
  • You have a pending COVID-19 test.

Before donating blood, please refer to your state’s or public health agency’s guidelines for COVID-19 testing and quarantining if you have recently traveled (domestically or internationally).

For more information, read our Blood Donor Notice.
The Blood Donor Notice is also available in Spanish.

Blood donors are NOT tested for coronavirus. Do not donate blood if you are sick.

Depending on the circumstances, if you were told previously that you were disqualified from donating blood, you might be able to now. See Updated Eligibility for HIV/AIDs, malaria and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

The information above is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. It's important you review this information before scheduling an appointment.