Donating and Using Plasma

An Overview of Convalescent Plasma

A comprehensive summary of convalescent plasma can be found here. 

 

The Use of Convalescent Plasma

The AABB recently released Convalscent Plasma guidelines and educational videos. New information and resources can be found here.

 

Push4Plasma

The CCPP19 Team has joined forces with the University Blood Initiative called Push4Plasma. Push4Plasma is working with organizations and colleges across the US to increase plasma donation and create life-long donors. This section will be updated with upcoming drive information. More information can be found on the Push4Plasma website. 

 

Patients Recovered from COVID-19

If you were diagnosed with COVID-19 and are now fully recovered, you may be able to help. See below for how you can help based on your situation.

• I tested positive for COVID-19, can I still donate plasma?

  Recommendation: Most donation centers are no longer accepting specific donations for convalescent plasma from individuals who have had COVID-19. This being said, there is still an urgent need for plasma and blood donations. Most organizations just require you have been COVID-free for 14 days. We recommend you register with the following organizations: 

  1. The Red Cross 
  2. Vitalant
  3. Versiti

  
  For information about monoclonal antibody treatment, please visit Combat COVID.

• I have already donated, but want to donate again.

  Recommendation: Most donation centers are no longer accepting specific donations for convalescent plasma from individuals who have had COVID-19. This being said, there is still an urgent need for plasma and blood donations. Most organizations just require you have been COVID-free for 14 days. We recommend you register with the following organizations: 

  1. The Red Cross 
  2. Vitalant
  3. Versiti

  
  For information about monoclonal antibody treatment, please visit Combat COVID.

Convalescent Plasma Treatment Locations

The map below shows the locations that were part of the Expanded Access program. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is plasma and why is it collected?

  Plasma is the clear liquid portion of blood that remains after blood cells, platelets, and other cellular components are removed. It contains water, salts, antibodies, and other proteins. It is collected from healthy, voluntary donors through a process called plasmapheresis.

  Plasma is regularly collected to produce therapies to treat people with many types of disorders, including immunodeficiency, hemophilia and trauma, such as burns or shock.

  The use of convalescent plasma, rich in antibodies, to treat or prevent serious infections, has been part of medical practice for more than 100 years. It was a common treatment for bacterial infections before the discovery of antibiotics. More recently, other infectious diseases such as H1N1 influenza, SARS, and MERS have been treated with convalescent plasma with varying results.

• Are there any risks to my health?

  People donate plasma every day. It is done at plasma and blood donation centers all around the country by trained medical teams in sterile environments.

  Donating plasma is a safe process. Most healthy adults can donate blood and plasma with no side effects. Some people may have minor side effects like dehydration, fatigue or dizziness. Donors are screened prior to donating to make sure they are good candidates.

  You can learn more about plasma and blood donation from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

• What is involved in plasma donation?

  To donate plasma for use in COVID-19 patients, you must have been sick with COVID-19 and completely recovered. You should have been free of symptoms for two weeks. Before your donation can begin, you will be tested for COVID-19 to confirm that you are no longer infected.

  You can learn more about plasma and blood donation from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.