Blood Donation and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Updated 2/8/22 | Blood Donation and COVID-19

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. 

Make an Appointment

Mask Policy: Effective immediately: As of July 28, 2021, based on CDC’s latest guidance, Southern California 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."

Please read Frequently Asked Questions for information related to blood donation and COVID-19, including a full list of travel and exposure 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.
• 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 vaccine FAQs.
• 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.
• Eligible donors can donate blood regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.
• 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

Please make an appointment to donate blood. Appointments are available at the newly opened Irvine Business District donation location in Irvine or find mobile lood drive in Orange County and Los Angeles County. Call (844) 380-5220

COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (CCP) Donation: Recovered from COVID-19? Fill out the form to see if you are eligible to donate plasma to help patients battling illness in local hospitals.