coronavirus

Resources for Convalescent Plasma Donation

Americans across the nation are stepping up to help one another and fight the coronavirus that is threatening so many of us. Friends and neighbors are donating food, making essential equipment, and watching out for each other. Another possible way to help is for individuals who have successfully recovered from COVID-19 to donate plasma (similar to a blood donation) to help treat others currently fighting the disease.

Congressman Wenstrup on Fox 19 discussing plasma donation for COVID-19 patients.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “is taking the lead on a national effort to facilitate the development of, and access to, two investigational therapies derived from human blood. These are called convalescent plasma and hyperimmune globulin and are antibody-rich blood products made from blood donated by people who have recovered from the virus. The products can be administered to individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. […] Based on prior experience with respiratory viruses and on data that have emerged from China, these products have the potential to lessen the severity or shorten the length of illness caused by COVID-19. The FDA is facilitating access to convalescent plasma for treating COVID-19 using multiple pathways.

Guidance on Investigational COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma: FDA updated its guidance on investigational COVID-19 convalescent plasma. The updated guidance extends the period of enforcement discretion through the end of February 2021. This extension will allow continued access to convalescent plasma for the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients while blood establishments develop the necessary operating procedures to manufacture the plasma consistent with the EUA. The guidance also includes a new recommendation that authorized COVID-19 convalescent plasma not be collected from individuals who have received an investigational COVID-19 vaccine.

Collecting and Distributing Blood Plasma:

BARDA is supporting America’s Blood Centers in coordinating the collection and distribution of convalescent plasma for therapeutic use in treating COVID-19 hospitalized patients.

Testing Updates

Information on Community-based Testing Sites: HHS created a new webpage and resource with information on community-based testing sites. HHS has partnered with pharmacy and retail companies to accelerate testing for more Americans in more communities across the country. The webpage includes links for how and where to get a drive-thru test.

OH-02 Donation Sites

Hoxworth page on Convalescent Plasma for physicians and patients. The registration form for Plasma Donors can be found at https://hoxworth.org/donors/eligibility/deferrals-restrictions/covid19plasma.html
The CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance.

Additional Resources and FAQs

FDA:

Red Cross:

National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Coordination:

National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project

Expanded Access to Convalescent Plasma for the Treatment of Patients with COVID-19 protocol

Local Coverage on Convalescent Plasma:

WCPO: Hospitals work to determine plausibility of plasma as COVID-19 treatment

WLWT: Doctors across region plan for studies, trials with COVID-19 convalescent plasma
Local 12: Plasma trial may offer a drop of hope for COVID-19 patients
WXVU: Recovered COVID-19 Patient Trying To Protect Ohioans With His Antibodies
Columbus Dispatch: Two Cincinnati area doctors study new treatment for sickest COVID-19 patients
Fox19: Christ Hospital gets FDA approval for plasma clinical trial
Local 12: Plasma trial may offer a drop of hope for COVID-19 patients
Cincinnati Enquirer: MDs at Christ Hospital, Hoxworth study new treatment for sickest COVID-19 patients
WLWT 5: Christ Hospital gets FDA approval for COVID-19 plasma clinical trial
The Health Collaborative: GREATER CINCINNATI HOSPITALS COLLECTING CONVALESCENT PLASMA FOR COVID-19 TREATMENT
WCPO: Doctors hope plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients holds key to treatment
Batesville Herald Tribune: Hospitals will collect convalescent plasma for COVID-19 treatment