Blood banks phase out collecting convalescent plasma, but fear a US blood shortage
Updated 3:35 PM ET, Sat April 24, 2021
An electronic screen in New York City in August shows an advertisement calling for plasma donation from patients recovered from Covid-19.
(CNN)In the early months of the pandemic, blood donation centers around the country rushed to collect convalescent plasma as it was seen as a potential wonder treatment for Covid-19.
Now many are moving away from plasma collection, and even doing away with antibody testing to find volunteers who want to donate.
With vaccinations up and case counts down, doctors are administering less convalescent plasma, as numerous clinical trials found the treatment does not significantly lower Covid-19 mortality or shorten hospital stays.