The American Red Cross is facing public scrutiny over its blood donation screening process, which includes a specific question about COVID-19 vaccination status.
This question is part of the organization’s RapidPass system, aimed at expediting the pre-donation procedure by allowing potential donors to complete necessary paperwork online.
The controversy revolves around the 79th question on the RapidPass questionnaire, inquiring whether donors have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Those who answer positively are directed to contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to discuss how their vaccination status may impact their eligibility to donate blood.
In a separate incident, illegal migrants violently attacked NYPD officers during a dispute response.
Video footage captured the chaos as individuals threw objects at police and assaulted them, resulting in one female officer being struck in the head with a backpack.
One migrant was subsequently removed from the shelter on Randall’s Island following this altercation.
According to The New York Post, the conflict unfolded when police were called around 11 a.m. on Thursday due to reports of disturbance involving an individual at the shelter.
The situation escalated as officers arrived and encountered a man engaged in verbal disputes and disorderly behavior with security personnel.
Details regarding why he was present or what triggered the altercation remain unclear.
Video footage of the incident shows a man clad in a white T-shirt and dark pants engaging in physical confrontations with multiple police officers amidst a large crowd watching nearby.
Rogan O’Handley (DC Draino), a former Hollywood entertainment lawyer turned conservative commentator, wrote on X: “The American Red Cross is now asking blood donors if they ever received the Covid vaccine. If you answer Yes, they want you to call ahead to see if you’re still eligible I thought the vax was “safe and effective”? What info are they hiding from us?”
🚨The American Red Cross is now asking blood donors if they ever received the Covid vaccine
If you answer Yes, they want you to call ahead to see if you’re still eligible
I thought the vax was “safe and effective”?
What info are they hiding from us? pic.twitter.com/xmEIaHE2gN
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) February 20, 2024
The American Red Cross website states that it adheres to FDA guidelines for blood donation eligibility following COVID-19 vaccination. Deferral periods may vary based on the type of vaccine received.
Individuals who have been vaccinated with certain vaccines such as those from AstraZeneca, Janssen/J&J, Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer are usually not deferred from donating blood as long as they are symptom-free and in good health at the time of donation.
A group of undocumented immigrants violently attacked NYPD officers when law enforcement responded to a disturbance call. Video footage captured the immigrants throwing objects and assaulting the officers, with one female officer being struck in the head by a backpack.
One immigrant was subsequently removed from the shelter where the incident took place.
According to The New York Post, a person was ejected from a tent city on Randall’s Island after a confrontational altercation with NYPD officers.
The situation unfolded following reports of an individual causing trouble at the shelter around 11 a.m. on Thursday. The exact circumstances that led to the confrontation remain unclear.
According to the Red Cross website:
The Red Cross is following FDA blood donation eligibility guidance for those who receive a COVID-19 vaccination, and deferral times may vary depending on the type of vaccine an individual receives. If you’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine, you’ll need to provide the manufacturer name when you come to donate. Upon vaccination, you should receive a card or printout indicating what COVID-19 vaccine was received, and we encourage you to bring that card with you to your next donation. In most cases, there is no deferral time for individuals who received a COVID-19 vaccine as long as they are symptom free and feeling well at the time of donation. The following eligibility guidelines apply to each COVID-19 vaccine received, including boosters:
- There is no deferral time for eligible blood donors who are vaccinated with an inactivated or RNA based COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca, Janssen/J&J, Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer.
- Eligible blood donors who received a live attenuated COVID-19 vaccine or do not know what type of COVID-19 vaccine they received must wait two weeks before giving blood.
- If you have an appointment scheduled and need to change your donation date based on the above guidance, click here.
- If you have further eligibility questions, please call 1-800-RED CROSS.
This controversial policy has resurfaced amidst intense debates within anti-COVID-19 vaccine groups.
They are pushing for a separate blood bank specifically for those who have not been vaccinated, expressing concerns that receiving blood from vaccinated donors could taint their “untainted” blood.
This request highlights the continuing argument over vaccine safety and its impact on blood donation protocols.
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