Blood donations and the A(H1N1) flu vaccine

Montreal, October 27, 2009 – In response to the current A(H1N1) flu pandemic, Héma-Québec has reactivated its contingency plan with the goal of continuing to efficiently provide blood components and substitutes to Québec hospitals.

Accordingly, it is important to emphasize that people who receive the A(H1N1) flu vaccine do not have to wait two days before giving blood, as is the case with other vaccines.

Moreover, individuals who have had the flu and have fully recovered may give blood.

Flu viruses—including the influenza A(H1N1) virus—cannot be spread through blood transfusions. To date, there have been no reported cases of flu infection through blood transfusion.

There is no danger of contracting a disease from donating blood, because all of the materials used for collecting blood are new, sterile, sealed and used only once. Moreover, each donated unit of blood is systematically analyzed and screened for blood-borne diseases before it is delivered to hospitals.

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