Monkeypox and the Community Blood Supply

Carter BloodCare continuously monitors any possible emerging infectious diseases or outbreaks and routinely assesses their impact on the safety of the blood supply. We have been regularly evaluating the recent monkeypox outbreak and its effect on our community blood supply. Per the FDA and CDC, there have been no reports of transmission of monkeypox virus through transfusion, during this outbreak or any previous outbreak. There is currently no additional regulatory requirement for screening or testing of blood intended for transfusion.

However, Carter BloodCare remains vigilant in our role of maintaining a safe blood supply. The Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB) has issued informal recommendations which mirror CDC’s monkeypox post-exposure monitoring recommendations.

We have discussed the issue internally, and plan to comply with the following recommendations:

1) Individuals who have had exposure to monkeypox will be deferred from blood donation for 21 days.

2) Individuals who are sick or recovering from monkeypox will be deferred for 21 days after resolution of symptoms.

3) Those that have received the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine are eligible to donate unless they were vaccinated due to a recent monkeypox exposure.

Note: The first two deferrals will be based on donor information volunteered to screening staff since no formal donor screening question is advised by regulatory bodies at this time. Information on the third item will be collected from an existing question on vaccines and injections.

Carter BloodCare will track the situation and respond to new information and/or regulatory guidance as it emerges. As always, we will continue preserve the safety of our community blood supply as the health and well-being of our patients is our utmost priority.

References:

FDA update, current as of 08/12/2022: Information for Blood Establishments Regarding the Monkeypox Virus and Blood Donation

AABB Monkeypox interim Fact Sheet, updated 7/27/2022

CDC website, updated 8/11/2022: Monitoring and Risk Assessment for Persons Exposed in the Community