MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — A bill that would require individuals to disclose their vaccination status before undergoing a blood transfusion or donation could significantly impact the flow of donors.
Notation would be required if the donor received the COVID-19 vaccination or messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccinations at any point in their life.
Wendell Jones, executive director of quality and regulatory for Lifeshare Blood Center, says that concern does not surround a decrease in donor flow; instead, it lies in the availability of donors.
Before a donation or transfusion, Lifeshare does ask donors about vaccines or medications, but they do not ask about the COVID-19 vaccine. These questions are necessary, as they are to see if the vaccines or medications will be of any harm to the recipient.
Jones says that not only will the number of potential donors be reduced, it could “devastate” their ability to maintain products.
HB822 was written by State Rep. Peter Egan, Sr. (R-La), and if it were to pass, it would go into effect on September 1, 2024.
The rules and regulations for the proposed bill are at the discretion of the Louisiana Department of Health.
