The AABB Board of Directors approved Association Bulletin #20-02 this week, which recommends strategies for blood collection establishments to implement to protect the availability of blood nationally during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The bulletin contains information and strategies designed to promote a safe environment for blood donation necessary to protect both donors and staff; address public perception, misinformation, and growing concerns regarding the risk of infection transmission during donation; and encourage blood donation during the current COVID-19 outbreak through a demonstrable commitment to safety.
These recommendations, developed by AABB's COVID-19 Working Group, are based on a review of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to protect individuals from the spread of the virus and current practices shared by AABB members. The adoption of some or all of these strategies will help to demonstrate the commitment of blood collection organizations to the safety of their donors. As new recommendations emerge, and as warranted by the current pandemic, AABB will continue to urge adoption of these and other practices by the blood collection community.