24 BLOOD DONATION DEFERRAL FOR FLU VACCINATION LIFTED

ERIE, PA – As of September 2011, there will no longer be a deferral for the influenza vaccine, as long as the blood donor feels well and does not have a fever.  Prior to the lifting of this deferral, a donor would be deferred for 24 hours after receiving the flu vaccine. 

 “On average, the Community Blood Bank would defer about 45 donors annually due to the flu vaccine, however, this does not include donors who would self-defer themselves because they knew we would defer them” says Brittany Yost, community outreach & program coordinator at the Community Blood Bank.  “With this deferral being lifted we will be able to collect more units daily which will help maintain a safe local blood supply.”

 Community Blood Bank’s mission is to assist communities in the region to meet their own needs for a safe, adequate supply of blood and blood products, while meeting or exceeding all safety and compliance requirements, and at the most cost efficient price. 

Community Blood Bank of NWPA & WNY is the primary supplier of blood and blood products to all the hospitals in Erie, Elk, McKean, Tioga, Potter, Warren counties and Titusville Area Hospital in Crawford County. Community Blood Bank is also the primary supplier of all blood and blood products to all hospitals in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties in WNY. 

In order to maintain a safe and adequate blood supply, Community Blood Bank asks all local donors to make their life-saving donation with Community Blood Bank to help save the lives of local patients. Community Blood Bank only draws from the areas in which it supplies; all blood donations made with Community Blood Bank stay local and will help to save the lives of local patients.

SHORTAGE OF TYPE O WORSENS

Recent snow adds to blood bank’s problems.

ERIE, PA – The recent shortage of type O blood is worsening as local patients continue to need more blood than is being given.   The approaching weekend will add to the shortage if the situation is not dealt with quickly.  

Only half the number of regular donors came in Wednesday and Thursday is fairly light as local donors dig out of the recent snow fall. Snow related accidents are also contributing to the heavier than normal usage.

 “Local patients are using a lot of blood,” Says Dan Desrochers Director of Marketing at the Community Blood Bank. “And there is no substitute for blood so we are urging everyone who can to give blood soon.”

 The Community Blood Bank is located at 26^th and Peach and is open Monday -Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 12:30pm. No appointment is needed to save a life.