COVID-19 UPDATES: 8-15-21

Make an Appointment | COVID-19 Deferrals and FAQs | Convalescent Plasma

We have a CRITICAL need for blood donations. Appointments strongly encouraged. Safety measures are in place.

We are temporarily deferring donors that have traveled outside the U.S. in the last 10 days. Travel to Baja, Mexico is acceptable.

MASK POLICY: Effective immediately: As of July 28, 2021, based on CDC’s latest guidance, San Diego Blood Bank requires staff, volunteers, donors, vendors, contractors, and visitors to wear a face covering*, whether they have been vaccinated or not, prior to entering our facilities/mobiles and while donating blood.

*“Face covering” means a surgical mask or a tightly woven fabric or non-woven  material of at least two layers. A face covering has no visible holes or openings and must cover the nose and mouth. A face covering does not include a scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandana, turtleneck, collar, or single layer of fabric.

BLOOD DONATION: Please make an appointment to donate blood.
COVID-19 VACCINATION: Starting Jan 15, the following COVID-19 vaccines are permitted without a deferral period: AstraZeneca, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer. Learn more.
RECOVERED FROM COVID-19?: Donate convalescent plasma (CCP) for patients battling illness in local hospitals. Fill out the form to see if you are eligible and you will be contacted.
COVID-19 VACCINE ANTIBODY RESEARCH STUDY: SDBB is looking for eligible individuals to donate plasma for a COVID-19 Vaccine Antibody Research Study. Participants must be 18 yrs+ who have never been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have been vaccinated against COVID-19. To see if you are eligible, fill out this form.

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For questions related to blood donation and COVID-19, including a full list of travel and exposure deferrals, please read our Frequently Asked Questions.  

• If you have an appointment, please allow extra time as we have implemented new screening and enhanced cleaning processes. 
• If you have seasonal allergies, please donate when you are not experiencing symptoms. We are currently deferring anyone with symptoms shared with COVID-19.
• If donors cared for, lived with or otherwise have had close contact with an individual(s) diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 infection, they are deferred for 28 days (4 weeks) from the last date of exposure with the individual(s). Healthcare workers, please review our FAQs for donation deferrals.
• All donors who have been diagnosed with or are suspected of having COVID-19 are deferred for 4 weeks from the date the symptoms resolved.
• The following COVID-19 vaccines are permitted without a deferral period: AstraZeneca, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer. If you are unsure of the name of the COVID-19 vaccine or it is not listed, you will be deferred from donation for 14 days.

To make an appointment, visit sandiegobloodbank.org/donate. Donors must be 17 years or older, weigh a minimum of 114 pounds, and be in general good health. ​

Where can I donate blood nearby?

Please make an appointment. Appointments are available at our eight donor centers and blood drives in the community.

• Downtown San Diego: Gateway Donor Center (2 miles east of downtown) - Click here
• Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Old Town: Liberty Station Donation Location - Click here
• Chula Vista, National City and Imperial Beach: South Bay Donation Location - Click here
• El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee and Lakeside: East County Donor Center - Click here
• Escondido and San Marcos: North County Donor Center - Click here
• Vista, Oceanside and Carlsbad: Coastal Donor Center - Click here
• Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Mira Mesa and Rancho Peñasquitos: Sabre Springs Donor Center - Click here
• La Jolla, Carmel Valley and Del Mar: Carmel Valley Donor Center - Click here
• Orange and Los Angeles County: COMING SOON! Southern California Blood Bank - Irvine Donation Location