DOH disputes report that vaccinated can’t donate blood

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday dispelled reports that vaccinated people can no longer donate blood.

“Anyone who has been vaccinated with any COVID vaccine may donate blood,” the DOH said in a public advisory.

It said asymptomatic individuals could donate blood anytime, while those with symptoms may do the same 14 days after recovery from infection.

As standard criteria, the DOH said a person aged 16 to 65 years and weighs not less than 50 kilos may donate blood.

But those who have undergone surgery as well as those who had tattoos and body piercing done in the past year are restricted from donating blood, it said.

The health agency said those who received anti-rabies and anti-tetanus vaccines in the past year are not qualified to donate blood.

Persons with uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension as well as those engaging in high-risk behavior are barred from donating blood.

“If with other diseases, the person will need to be assessed appropriately,” the DOH said to determine if they could still qualify to donate blood.

Pediatric vax sites per city

The government will designate at least two pediatric COVID vaccination sites per city in Metro Manila, the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 said yesterday.

NTF chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said the government has identified about 24 vaccination sites in Metro Manila for the inoculation of children aged 5 to 11 years next month.

Galvez said of the two pediatric vaccination sites per city, one would be based in a hospital while the other could be in a business establishment or public space.

“We will designate one hospital and one non-hospital base here in Metro Manila in the 16 cities and one municipality. We will have more or less 24 vaccination sites,” Galvez said in an interview with Teleradyo.

The vaccination of kids aged five to 11 years is expected to begin on Feb. 4.

The NTF earlier said the Philippine Medical Association wanted the vaccination of the age bracket to be done during weekends, to accommodate the schedule of working parents.

Galvez said the target commencement of the age bracket’s vaccination is already locked-in, and the vaccines formulated especially for children are expected to arrive soon.

In the formulation for kids, each dose would be 10 micrograms compared to 30 micrograms per dose for those aged 12 and up.

The vaccine czar said the initial rollout would be in Metro Manila but the scope would be expanded to other regions sooner, considering how vaccinators nationwide already have sufficient experience.

“Many regions, like Central Luzon and Calabarzon, want to be included in the initial rollout with Metro Manila because they already have a good experience with the pediatric vaccination of the 12-17 age bracket,” Galvez said.

“So we see that the good thing about this is our vaccinators are already experienced considering that we have administered 124 million doses… plus some vaccination sites would be hospital-based and the rest have response teams,” he added.

The NTF is expected to release a memorandum for the implementation of the age bracket’s vaccination this week after conducting town hall meetings and consultations. – Neil Jayson Servallos, Romina Cabrera