CAP Opposes Labeling Blood by COVID-19 Vaccine Status

The College of American Pathologists (CAP), the leading organization of board-certified pathologists, issued a statement July 10 opposing state legislative proposals to label blood products based on a donor’s COVID-19 vaccination status or to require access to directed or autologous donations for this reason.

In the statement, CAP emphasized that studies have shown blood from vaccinated donors is safe and that SARS-CoV-2 is not transmitted through transfusion. The group also cautioned that segregating blood products by vaccination status could reduce availability, increase costs and lead to greater waste.

CAP joins the Food and Drug Administration, AABB, America’s Blood Centers, and the American Red Cross in affirming that decisions regarding the blood supply must be grounded in science and public health.

Extensive resources on vaccinations and blood donation are available on the AABB website.