Coronavirus: latest advice

You no longer need to wear a face covering when giving blood.

However, face masks are available if you would like to wear one. Just ask one of our staff.

You should confirm your situation before coming to donate.

Please read our guidance.

Yes. We have introduced several changes to give donors confidence about hygiene and social distancing.

Find out more about hygiene and social distancing.

Keeping our centres open and getting the right balance of blood types is currently more difficult than usual. If we cancel your appointment, please accept our apologies. We only do this when absolutely necessary, and will always try to get in touch by phone, email or in writing to let you know with as much notice as possible.

If your appointment has been cancelled, please rebook further into the future if you can: on the NHSGiveBlood app, via your online account, or by calling 0300 123 23 23.

No, we do not routinely test for coronavirus because there is no evidence it is transmitted through blood donation.

Read about the tests we do on every blood donation.

Yes, but you will need to wait 48 hours from your vaccine before donating (you can attend on the 3rd day from the date of your vaccine).

If you had side effects from the vaccine such as headache, temperature, aches and chills, please wait until these symptoms have passed before donating.

This is a precautionary measure to keep you and the people who receive blood safe. Some people experience side effects from the vaccine such as headache, temperature, aches and chills.

Leaving a 48 hour gap between vaccination and donation means that any side effects are unlikely to be confused with illness after donating.

It is very unlikely that the active ingredients of the vaccine will remain in the blood by the time of donation.

The current COVID-19 vaccines do not contain live virus. If you've been vaccinated, there is no evidence that your donation will transmit infection but it may contain protective antibodies against COVID-19. There is also no evidence that donations from vaccinated individuals will increase the risk of thrombosis in the recipient.

No. Hospital clinicians match blood to a patient based on blood type. Blood donation is confidential and anonymous and no personal information about the donor is shared with the patient, and vice versa.