U.S. Surgeon General calls for COVID-19 survivors to donate plasma
Surgeon General VADM Jerome Adams is calling on Americans who have recovered from COVID-19 to consider donating COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (CCP), announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
A CCP donation may benefit people who are newly diagnosed with COVID-19 and gives frontline healthcare workers an important tool in treating patients. More than 250,000 courses of CCP have been administered to Americans to help prevent severe consequences from COVID-19, yet healthcare professionals urgently need a steady, reliable supply of plasma.
“If you are among the millions of Americans who have had COVID-19, you may have a precious resource that can help save other lives. Plasma donated by people who have recovered from COVID-19 may contain antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the disease. These antibodies may help suppress the virus and provide patients with clinical benefit. As NIH leads large scientific studies to provide more information that will help guide the use of CCP, current research shows that convalescent plasma is safe and, when it’s given early and contains a high concentration of antibodies, it can help improve a patient’s chances of recovery. While studies are ongoing, the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the emergency use of CCP, based on review of the available scientific facts.
To see if you are eligible to donate and locate a CCP donation center near you or to learn more about how to participate in clinical trials for vaccines, therapeutics, and convalescent plasma visit combatcovid.hhs.gov.
