The Red Cross Says Doing This Is Essential After Your Flu Shot & Covid Booster

Can you give blood after getting a flu or COVID shot? The short answer is yes—and according to the American Red Cross, people vaccinated against these two major viruses are among the best blood donation candidates. 

This is because cold and flu season is a challenging time for the national blood supply, as illness can limit someone’s eligibility to donate. But if you’ve just rolled up your sleeves for your flu and COVID shots, you’re actually in an ideal position to help protect others—and not just from the risk of a viral infection. When healthy and sniffle-free, taking a few more minutes for a blood donation can save lives, especially during this period when supplies are often low. 

“It’s particularly important during fall and winter months—when we see an increase in cold and flu cases—that those in good health share their good health by giving blood,” says Baia Lasky, MD, executive medical director for the American Red Cross. 

The national blood supply emergency

In 2024, the American Red Cross declared its first-ever emergency blood shortage. Donor numbers hit an all-time low, dropping 40% over the last two decades. Today, it’s estimated that only 3% of eligible Americans donate blood. 

But demand remains high. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs lifesaving blood—and its availability can be the difference between life and death. 

The American Red Cross highlights the urgency of this need:

• One in seven people entering a hospital will need a blood transfusion. 
• Because blood cannot be stockpiled, vacation activities, severe weather, natural disasters, and seasonal illnesses (such as the flu) are a real threat to the blood supply.
• Blood cannot be manufactured; it can only come from volunteer donors. 

When can I donate blood after a flu shot?

Not only can you get your COVID and flu shots at the same time—you can donate blood on the same day, too. As long as you’re healthy, feeling well, and symptom-free at the time of donation, you can give blood, according to the American Red Cross. You can also donate immediately if you’ve just gotten the RSV vaccine. 

If you do get sick during cold and flu season, you can still donate—you just need to wait at least two weeks after recovering. 

So, as you plan for your flu and COVID shots this year (here’s how to know if you’re eligible for a COVID booster), remember to donate, too. A simple 10-minute donation can save up to three lives, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. You can find your nearest blood donation center by visiting AABB.org.

For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:

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• 13 Things You Should Know Before Donating Blood
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• COVID-19 Could Alter Your Blood Vessels, Finds New Study