Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the blood community have played a critical role in helping to advance treatment options. From blood collectors – who worked tirelessly to collect COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) from individuals who have recovered from the disease – to clinicians who administered this therapy to patients battling infection, the entire blood community mobilized to respond to the international health crisis. At the same time, the blood community continued its heroic, routine work to ensure patients have access to safe blood transfusions. AABB is proud to support blood collectors, clinicians and researchers in their critical work to care for patients.
Convalescent plasma has a long history of helping to reduce the severity of infectious disease outbreaks. Data from clinical trials conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that, when administered early in the course of COVID-19 infection, CCP may help reduce the length and severity of illness in some patients. This page includes information about CCP, as well as resources for blood collectors, clinicians and the public. AABB supports continued research related to CCP and will update these resources to reflect new information as it becomes available.
To help health care professionals better understand the appropriate use and efficacy of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) as a treatment option for patients with COVID-19, AABB convened a working group of experts in the field to review the science and generate evidence-based recommendations. The recommendations were published in parallel and are consistent with the FDA’s guidance to administer only high-titer units of CCP early in the course of the disease.
AABB also developed two short videos to educate clinicians across various subspecialties about the effective and appropriate use of CCP, as well as about the evolving state of research on this critical topic. The first video provides an overview of CCP and outlines safety considerations. The second video delves into the efficacy of CCP, with an emphasis on early administration of high titer units.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge to the resilience of the blood supply and exacerbated some of the challenges already facing the blood system. Throughout the pandemic, there were significant fluctuations in both the availability and utilization of blood as well as threats to the supply chain. Nonetheless, the blood community engaged in coordinated and collaborative efforts to ensure that patients had access to blood transfusions.
This page includes AABB-developed resources that promote the safety and availability of the blood supply.
AABB's education sessions are intended to share emerging information and data related to the use of CCP:
These resources are intended to provide new information and considerations to Clinicians and Hospitals:
Blood Organizations Launch Nationwide Respiratory Virus Monitoring Program
October 16, 2024
REGULATORY UPDATE: FDA Issues New Guidance on COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma; AABB Toolkit Available
July 22, 2024
February 28, 2024