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COVID-19 and Blood Donation
COVID-19 and Blood Donation | Updated 8/22/2023
Walk-ins welcome. Appointments available. Donate blood today!
As of October 1, 2022, based on CDC’s latest guidance, San Diego Blood Bank does not requires staff, volunteers, blood donors, vendors, contractors, and visitors to wear a face mask inside its facilities or while donating blood. Those who wish to wear a mask may do so freely.
For questions related to blood donation and COVID-19, including a full list of travel and exposure deferrals, please read the Frequently Asked Questions.
- If you have an appointment, please allow extra time as we have implemented 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 10 days from the last date of exposure with the individual(s). Healthcare workers, please review our FAQs for donation deferrals.
- All blood donors who have been diagnosed with or are suspected of having COVID-19 are deferred for 10 days 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 donate blood, you must be 17 years or older, weigh a minimum of 114 pounds, and be in general good health. Click here to view basic eligibility requirements and to prepare for your blood donation.
Make an Appointment
Where can I donate blood nearby?
All blood types needed. Book an appointment at one of nine donor centers or at a blood drive in the community. Walk-ins welcome.
- Central San Diego: Gateway Donor Center (2 miles east of downtown) | Book Now
- Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Old Town: Liberty Station Donor Center | Book Now
- Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, San Ysidro: Chula Vista Donor Center | Book Now
- La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside: East County Donor Center | Book Now
- Poway, Mira Mesa, Sorrento Valley: Sabre Springs Donor Center | Book Now
- La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Del Mar: Carmel Valley Donor Center | Book Now
- Escondido and San Marcos: North County Donor Center | Book Now
- Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad: Coastal Donor Center | Book Now
- Orange County, Irvine, Newport Beach: Irvine Business District Donor Center | Book Now
How do I donate COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (CCP)?
Recovered from COVID-19? Your plasma may help other patients.
Click here to submit interest to donate COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (CCP). Learn more about donating CCP
