Vitalant testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Vitalant announced on Monday that it has started testing all blood donations for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Vitalant said its the first national blood bank in the country to do so.

This type of testing offers two benefits, it gives donors their antibody status and it provides critically needed blood. The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration. It indicates if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms.

The testing over time will provide the medical community with more information on whether a person who has recovered from COVID-19 is at a lower risk of infection, and if so, for how long.

“While a positive antibody test does not mean that someone is immune to COVID-19, it does mean that they may be eligible to donate convalescent plasma in the future and help people with the disease,” said Cliff Numark, Vitalant’s Chief of Marketing. “Convalescent plasma can be given directly to patients currently battling COVID-19 to help boost their ability to fight their illness.”

Vitalant said all blood types are desperately needed right now, but the highest need is for Type O, A- negative and B-negative red blood cells. Platelet donations are also needed which are used to help cancer patients.

The antibody testing is part of a full panel of blood testing and donors are not charged. Donors will be able to see their results approximately 2 weeks after donating by logging into their online donor accounts.

Donation appointments are strongly recommended by contacting visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).