VACCINATED people and those who tested positive for the Covid-19 virus can still donate blood, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

This came after misinformation has circulated online saying that vaccinated people can no longer donate blood.

“The Department of Health would like to clarify the circulating image claiming that vaccinated individuals cannot donate blood,” read the public advisory from DOH released on January 27.

The health department said anyone who has been vaccinated with any Covid-19 vaccine may donate blood, including individuals who tested positive with the virus.

DOH said asymptomatic persons may donate at any time, but for symptomatic and recovering patients, 14 days is needed before they can donate.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, also said on Friday that people who were infected and recovered from the Covid-19 virus have the same immunity as people who are vaccinated against the said virus.

Schlosser said those people can donate blood normally without any known side effects.

“We already have our experts who have already thought of it. Dili man nila i-approve if this is detrimental sa health sa tao and dili na maka donate og blood,” said Schlosser.

(They would not approve of it if it is detrimental to the health of a person or if they cannot donate blood.)

She said blood donation cannot be hampered by the Covid-19 vaccines since blood is an important resource in healthcare.

“It’s quite impossible also because blood is very important,” she said. “(If) 100 percent of the population atong tumong ipabakuna and then ang result ana is dili na makadonta og blood; Imagine that, people will die without blood (If we target to vaccinate people and in the end they could not donate blood, people will die without the needed blood).”