By Sue-Ann Wayow
PERSONS who have received the Covid-19 vaccine can donate blood.
However, if an individual was experiencing any side effects, he should not volunteer to do so.
On Wednesday, at the Ministry of Health’s virtual press conference, Immunology Lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Dr Carla-Maria Alexander said, “There isn’t any real reason why you cannot donate blood after vaccination.”
She continued, “Obviously once vaccinated, if you are having any mild side effects, you would not be able to donate blood. You have to make sure that you are either well and also when you got the blood bank you would inform them that you have received the vaccine and when you received both the first and second dose and then they can advise you as such.”
Persons who have had allergic reactions in the past to vaccines were cautioned about the Covid-19 vaccine because there were common components found in all vaccines as well as those who were allergic to a particular component in the vaccine, Dr Alexander added.
She advises persons who have allergies to speak with their healthcare professional before taking the vaccine as an added precaution.
Yes, you can consume alcohol after vaccination
And epidemiologist Dr Avery Hinds also said persons can intake alcohol but advised waiting some days after vaccination.
He said, “ Not on the day you take the vaccine. Wait a couple of days. It is not that once you have taken the vaccine, you are banned from alcohol forever. I am hoping that, that is not discouraging people from being vaccinated. Yes you can drink just not on the day. About a day or two after so do not let that discourage you.”
More evidence needed for pregnant women
Dr Hinds also spoke about the World Health Organisation (WHO) approval for the Sinopharm vaccine to be administered to pregnant women. In Trinidad and Tobago, that group is not yet administered any Covid-19 vaccine.
He said more information was needed and actual evidence that supported the WHO’s decision was still in relatively small numbers.
Dr Hind said, “ We are doing what we are doing on the side of precaution with regard to not exposing pregnant women to a new product without a little more robust information within the healthcare system. As more information becomes available then that decision will be reviewed and it will be updated as needed.”
