The French blood institute (EFS) stands out in terms of communication. For several weeks he has been multiplying provocative messages on social networks to encourage people to donate blood. “The start of the school year stings, but here it’s for a good cause,” we read on 2 January. A good resolution for 2023? “Easier than going to the gym 3 times a week: go donate blood 3 times a year”.
The many requests are explained by the particularly low level of reserves. “Red alert throughout France”, stressed the EFS on 18 December. This Thursday morning, François Braun even claimed that France had “only 14-15 days of supplies left”. “It is insufficient. You have to go and donate blood,” he urged on France 2 the Minister of Health, who himself will extend his arm next Tuesday.
Regularly, the authorities issue calls to donate blood, due to “too low” reserves. Is the situation really more critical today than on previous occasions? In reality, it has improved significantly compared to mid-December.
“Today we have 86,000 bags of blood available, against 78,000 on December 19,” Hervé Meinrad, director of collection and production of the EFS, points out to the Parisian. “We usually lose between 7,000 and 15,000 pockets during the end of the year holidays. So it is very positive and shows that the French have been sensitive to requests for donations ”, he rejoices.
“We averted disaster”
However, the situation is still far from optimal for this time of year. Ideally it should be around 95,000 to be “clear” at the start of winter. “We avoided catastrophe but this dynamic must continue. We need this to be part of a regularity and donors to visit us three times a year without necessarily asking questions ”, advances Hervé Meinrad.
The harvest was interrupted last autumn by the 9th wave of Covid and various winter viruses (flu, RSV, etc.). Enough to make many French people ill, and therefore prevent them from donating blood. “From the moment you have a fever, you have to wait 15 days,” explains the head of EFS.
More generally, not everyone can donate blood. In particular, you must be between 18 and 70 years of age, weigh more than 50 kg, not be treated for a chronic disease, have not already had a transfusion or transplant, etc. EFS extension offers on your site a questionnaire, in the form of a quiz, which lets you know if you are eligible. Contrary to the “fake news” that is still circulating, being vaccinated against Covid-19 is not a criterion that prevents you from donating blood.
