KUALA LUMPUR: Recently vaccinated individuals who wish to donate blood are advised to wait at least seven days after the first or second dose of their Covid-19 vaccination.
This, National Blood Centre director Dr Noryati Abu Amin said, was in line with the Health Ministry's Guidelines for Prevention and Control During Blood Donation Activities to Prevent the Transmission of Infectious Diseases Covid-19 – Annex 49.
"These guidelines have set a temporary postponement period for blood donation activities for individuals after the inoculation of the Covid-19 vaccine, in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.
"The postponement period was based on the precautionary principle to protect the health of the blood donors and patients who will be receiving the blood," she said in a statement.
Dr Noryati said the postponement took into account the type of Covid-19 vaccines and it was recommended for seven days after receiving the first or second dose of non-live vaccines namely Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, and Cansino that are being used in Malaysia.
She said the move was also to ensure blood donors are in optimal health while donating blood.
Meanwhile, in the same statement, Dr Noryati dismissed a WhatsApp message that went viral, saying blood supply in hospitals is running low and was critical.
"The information is not true and can cause misunderstanding among the public. The country's blood supply has shown good improvement lately, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
"This is attributed to blood donors who have been consistently donating their blood to help patients in need."
Dr Noryati said the centre has sufficient stock for patients, as well as to help blood supply in states that have experienced an increase in Covid-19 cases.
"Safe and adequate blood supply is used to treat cases of accidents and bleeding, mothers suffering from birth complications, as well as premature infants who are anaemic.
"In addition, it is also used for patients with thalassemia, cancer, kidney failure, and patients undergoing critical surgery," she said.
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