Winter flu season drives emergency blood shortages - 12,000 donors urgently needed

Ongoing shortages of type O and A blood supplies have prompted an urgent call for an extra 12,000 people to donate immediately, as peak winter illness keeps donors away and emergency orders remain high.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood says recent appeals have prevented supplies falling to critical levels but have not been enough to replenish low supplies of O-positive and O-negative blood types, which are the types used in emergencies. A-positive blood stocks have also dropped in recent weeks.

Around 8000 units of blood, plasma and platelets are issued as urgent or life-threatening orders every month, meaning they must be dispatched within as little as 30 minutes to support patients in critical situations. 

At the same time, winter illness is hindering donations. A new Lifeblood survey found almost 40 per cent of Australians have recently experienced cold, flu or respiratory illness symptoms. 

Lifeblood Chief Customer Officer Cath Stone said this wipes out potentially thousands of people from donating, as blood donors need to be seven days clear of symptoms before they can donate.

“Nationally we’re seeing up to 1,600 donation appointments sit empty every day, with many more people cancelling or rescheduling appointments,” Cath said.

“Even mild symptoms such as sniffles, sore throats, and headaches make people temporarily ineligible to give blood, and this can severely impact the availability of donors during winter months.

“We’re urging anyone who is fit and well to book an appointment now, and anyone recovering from illness to donate as soon as they can.

“Only three per cent of Australians donate blood. We’re asking people not to leave it to others, our regular donors alone cannot sustain supplies through winter, and we need more people to step up.”

Cath said O-negative and O-positive blood are particularly important because they are often used in emergencies when a patient’s blood type is unknown.

“Patients in critical situations will always get the blood they need, but full fridges are essential to ensuring blood is available for everyone who needs it, when they need it,” she said.

“This includes cancer patients, new mothers, people undergoing surgery, and many other patients including children who need donated blood to save their lives.

“We’d all want blood to be there if it was someone we knew or loved who needed it.”

Cath urged people who don’t know their blood type to donate, with more than 80 per cent of Australians having an O or A blood type.

“Donating blood is an easy way to find out your blood type, and all types are needed by patients right now,” Cath said.

To book an appointment call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Lifeblood app.