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COVID-19 and Blood Donation
COVID-19 and Blood Donation | Updated 2/8/2022
Appointments strongly encouraged. Safety measures are in place. Donate blood today! Click here to read COVID-19 Deferrals and FAQs.
We are temporarily deferring donors that have traveled outside the U.S. in the last 10 days. Travel to Baja, Mexico is acceptable.
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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."
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 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.
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Where can I donate blood nearby?
Please make an appointment to donate blood. Book an appointment at one of nine donation locations and or at mobile blood drives in the community.
- Central San Diego: Gateway Donor Center (2 miles east of downtown) | Click here
- Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Old Town: Liberty Station Donor Center | Click here
- Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, San Ysidro: Chula Vista Terra Nova | Click here
- La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside: East County Donor Center | Click here
- Poway, Mira Mesa, Sorrento Valley: Sabre Springs Donor Center | Click here
- La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Del Mar: Carmel Valley Donor Center | Click here
- Escondido and San Marcos: North County Donor Center | Click here
- Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad: Coastal Donor Center | Click here
- NEW! Orange County, Irvine, Newport Beach: Irvine Business District | Click here
Recovered from COVID-19?
Donate COVID-19 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.
