International

News items constitute an arbitrary selection of events. Links to some news items may no longer be active. News items are for the current and prior year only. Canadian news is covered in What's New and Monthly newsletters

Index: General | Specific countries (change over time)

GENERAL

TraQ's June newsletter
In Memoriam: Lawrence ‘Larry’ Petz, MD (15 June 2022)
Canada: 2021 Lifetime Achievement Awards recognize eminent Canadian researchers | Dr. Gilles Delage, Dr. Heather Hume, Dr. Mel Krajden
UK: Doctors treat first UK patient in Covid ‘super donor’ blood trial (30 June 2022) | Reopened trial to look at whether plasma with high levels of antibodies can help save lives of immunosuppressed
Case study: Improving outcomes after trauma and blood loss (28 June 2022)

Brohi K, Eaglestone S. Traumatic coagulopathy and massive transfusion: improving outcomes and saving blood. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2017 Nov. (Free books & documents) | PubMed abstract

Canada: 4-year-old Montreal girl desperately needs life-saving stem cell donation (28 June 2022) | 'Preparing for the worst, hoping for the best': Mother hopes Asian, mixed race donors step up.
Diseases in the news: Chronic hepatitis B infections decreasing in recent years (24 June 2022) | Related:
- GBD 2019 Hepatitis B Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of hepatitis B, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Jun 20:S2468-1253(22)00124-8. Epub ahead of print. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
Industry news: Enjaymo led to hemoglobin gains, less need for blood transfusions (24 June 2022) | Related:
- Gelbenegger G, Jaeger U, Fillitz M, et al. Sustained sutimlimab response for 3 years in patients with cold agglutinin disease: A phase I, open-label, extension trial. Br J Haematol. 2022 Jun 2. Epub ahead of print. (Free access)
WHO considers declaring monkeypox a global health emergency (23 June 2022) | Experts question whether decision will exacerbate inequities between rich and poor countries;"It is a bit curious that WHO only called their experts when the disease showed up in white countries."
Inhibitor harms leukemic stem cells while boosting normal ones (23 June 2022) | Related:
- Grey W, Rio-Machin A, Casado P, et al. CKS1 inhibition depletes leukemic stem cells and protects healthy hematopoietic stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia. Sci Transl Med. 2022 Jun 22;14(650):eabn3248. Epub 2022 Jun 22.
Clinical trial shows improved rare blood cancer treatment (23 June 2022) | Related:
- Tremblay D, Mesa R. Momelotinib for the treatment of myelofibrosis with anemia. Future Oncol. 2022 Jun;18(20):2559-71. Epub 2022 May 23. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Patient-reported outcomes and overall survival after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (22 June 2022) | Related:
- Incorporating patient-reported outcome data into a hematopoietic cell transplant survival calculator (Poster at 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting)
Study identifies proteins that allow blood vessels to grow (22 June 2022) | Related:
- Ong YT, Andrade J, Armbruster M, et al. A YAP/TAZ-TEAD signalling module links endothelial nutrient acquisition to angiogenic growth. Nat Metab. 2022 Jun 20. Epub ahead of print. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
Industry news: Novartis, Precision ink deal to develop potential sickle cell cure (22 June 2022)
Data shows no increase in pediatric hepatitis, adenovirus 40/41 compared to pre-pandemic levels (21 June 2022) | Related:
- Kambhampati AK, Burke RM, Dietz S, et al. Trends in acute hepatitis of unspecified etiology and adenovirus stool testing results in children - United States, 2017-2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022 Jun 17;71(24):797-802. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Dual-target CAR-T ‘very promising’ for advanced multiple myeloma (21 June 2022)
Industry news: Pfizer buys stake in Valneva to advance Lyme disease vaccine (20 June 2022)
World Blood Donor Day: Poor funding, staff shortage worsen blood donation In Africa–WHO (19 June 2022)
Global study identifies burden of SCD on provider, patient, caregiver (17 June 2022) | Related:
- Sickle Cell Health Awareness, Perspectives and Experiences (SHAPE) survey: Findings on the burden of sickle cell disease and unmet needs as reported by patients and caregivers (Oral presentation at the Global Congress on Sickle Cell Disease, 2022)
Transfusion-dependent patients with MDS vary in treatment experiences, preferences (17 June 2022) | Related:
- Vijenthira A, Starkman R, Lin Y, et al. Multi-national survey of transfusion experiences and preferences of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. Transfusion. 2022 Jun 10. Epub ahead of print.
What to know about the newest, most contagious omicron subvariants,BA.4 and BA.5 (15 June 2022)
WHO says it's investigating monkeypox DNA in semen (15 June 2022)
Industry news: Jazz and Redx in milestone inhibitor agreement (15 June 2022)
WHO convenes experts to decide if monkeypox is an emergency (14 June 2022)
How strong is your Covid immunity? A blood test could offer some insight (14 June 2022) | Related:
- Schwarz M, Torre D, Lozano-Ojalvo D, et al. Rapid, scalable assessment of SARS-CoV-2 cellular immunity by whole-blood PCR. Nat Biotechnol. 2022 Jun 13. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Canada: NUPGE supports World Blood Donor Day and calls for action in Canada on paid plasma clinics (14 June 2022)
Industry news: Nanopore sequencing quickly and accurately diagnoses rare genetic disorders (14 June 2022) | Related:
- Magini P, Mingrino A, Gega B, et al. Third-generation cytogenetic analysis: Diagnostic application of long-read sequencing. J Mol Diagn. 2022 May 5:S1525-1578(22)00107-6. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Groundbreaking treatment for HIV/AIDS developed by Israeli research team (13 June 2022) | Related:
- Nahmad AD, Lazzarotto CR, Zelikson N, et al. In vivo engineered B cells secrete high titers of broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies in mice. Nat Biotechnol. 2022 Jun 9. Epub ahead of print.
ISBT president urges for stronger Expert urges for stronger evidence base to improve blood transfusion outcomes (13 June 2022)
WHO urges eligible people to make regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donations (13 June 2022)
WHO Fact Sheet: Blood safety and availability | The median blood donation rate in high-income countries is 31.5 donations/1000 people vs 5/1000 in low-income countries.
Electro-chemical bandages could be an effective alternative to antibiotics for managing wound infections (13 June 2022)
Industry news: Ten biotech companies were able to raise more than $500 million in combined financing in the past week (12 June 2022)
When we’ll be able to 3D-print organs and who will be able to afford them (10 June 2022) | Related:
- Wang X. Advanced polymers for three-dimensional (3D) organ bioprinting. Micromachines (Basel). 2019 Nov 25;10(12):814. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
How an army captain invented blood banks during WWI (9 June 2022)
Monkeypox outbreak tops 1,000 cases; WHO warns of 'real' risk (8 June 2022)
Industry news: As monkeypox cases rise, BD pairs up with Spain-based CerTest for diagnostic (8 June 2022)
Industry news: Roche's bispecific blood cancer drug Lunsumio treads on CAR-T's turf with first global approval (8 June 2022)
Industry news: AstraZeneca’s Evusheld successfully prevents progression to severe COVID-19 (8 June 2022) | Related:
- Montgomery H, Hobbs FDR, Padilla F, et al. Efficacy and safety of intramuscular administration of tixagevimabcilgavimab for early outpatient treatment of COVID-19 (TACKLE): a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Respir Med.2022. Epub 7 June. (Free full text)
AABB: AABB accepting comments on proposed 4th edition of Standards for a Patient Blood Management Program until 28 June (8 June 2022)
AABB: Comment period opens for proposed 6th Edition of Standards for Molecular Testing for Red Cell, Platelet and Neutrophil Antigens until 5 July (8 June 2022)
Australia: This Australian entrepreneur delivered medical aid on a 2,500 kilometre journey across Ukraine (4 June 2022)
Prior COVID won't shield kids From omicron, but vaccine might (2 June 2022) | Related:
- Tang J, Novak T, Hecker J, et al. Cross-reactive immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is low in pediatric patients with prior COVID-19 or MIS-C. Nat Commun. 2022 May 27;13(1):2979. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
Analysis: Inhaled vaccine for COVID-19 — The pandemic accelerated decades of research leading to jab-free vaccine now in human testing (2 June 2022)
Age interacts with mutations, clonal growth and cancers of blood cells (2 June 2022) | Related:
- Fabre MA, de Almeida JG, Fiorillo E, et al. The longitudinal dynamics and natural history of clonal haematopoiesis. Nature. 2022 Jun 1. Epub ahead of print. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
How Is the menu of molecular diagnostics expanding after COVID-19? (1 June 2022)
Canada: Despite some progress, Canadian women in STEM still face academic segregation (31 May 2022) | Related:
- Persistence and representation of women in STEM programs (2 May 2022)
Handheld device may help stop fatal blood loss (31 May 2022)
Georgia Tech sees new details in 3-D images of organoids that could lead to medical advances (31 May 2022) | Related:
- Liu W, Kim GR, Takayama S, Jia S. Fourier light-field imaging of human organoids with a hybrid point-spread function. Biosens Bioelectron. 2022 Jul 15;208:114201. Epub 2022 Mar 26.
WHO can’t rule out monkeypox pandemic risk, says there’s a window of opportunity to stop outbreak (30 May 2022)
Organic strawberries linked to hepatitis A outbreaks in U.S. and Canada (30 May 2022) | Related:
- FDA: Outbreak investigation of hepatitis A virus: strawberries (28 May 2022)
Genomic surveillance uncovers clusters of MRSA causing bloodstream infections (28 May 2022)
Female Celebrity Cruises passenger sues after 'receiving HIV-infected blood from another traveler' during onboard emergency transfusion when she suffered hemorrhage (26 May 2022)
Abstracts of ISBT, June 4-8, 2022: ISBT 2022 - Abstract Book (24 May 2022) | Related: Author index
USA: CDC issues monkeypox warning advising travelers to 'practice enhanced precautions' (24 May 2022)
USA: US in process of releasing monkeypox vaccine from national stockpile for ‘high-risk’ people, CDC says (24 May 2022)
Repeat infections with COVID-19 may become the norm (23 May 2022)
The evolution of blood group genotyping (20 May 2022) | Complementary to all via AABB Newsletter.
Jamie Nash receives 28th Scott Murphy Memorial Award Lectureship (20 May 2022)
Here’s how wars have changed modern medicine (19 May 2022)
Epidemiological update issued 19 May 2022: hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control)
USA: CDC, FDA consider expanding COVID-19 booster eligibility (19 May 2022)
Journals: Ryan CT, Rosengart TK. Commentary: Culture trumps (transfusion) guidelines.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2022 Mar;163(3):1025-6. Epub 2020 May 11. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Columbia University researchers say new high-speed 3D microscope could replace traditional biopsy, with implications for surgical pathology (18 May 2022) | Related:
- Patel KB, Liang W, Casper MJ, et al. High-speed light-sheet microscopy for the in-situ acquisition of volumetric histological images of living tissue. Nat Biomed Eng. 2022 Mar 28. Epub ahead of print.
Industry news: AstraZeneca boosts COVID portfolio with RQ Bio deal (17 May 2022)
Smart pacifier developed to monitor infant health in hospitals (16 May 2022) | Related:
- Lim HR, Lee SM, Park S, et al. Smart bioelectronic pacifier for real-time continuous monitoring of salivary electrolytes. Biosens Bioelectron. 2022 Aug 15;210:114329. Epub 2022 Apr 26.
Addressing gaps in care for patients with thalassemia (13 May 2022)
'Human Cell Atlas' maps 1 million cell types in 33 organs (12 May 2022)
UK: Hundreds of patient data breaches are left unpunished (12 May 2022)
USA: Global license program to receive Covid-19 support from U.S. NIH (12 May 2002)
USA: Rehospitalization and emergency department visits after CAR T-cell therapy in commercially insured patients with cancer (12 May 2022)
Target trial emulation using real world data suggest older RBCs may increase mortality (11 May 2022) | Related:
- Bruun-Rasmussen P, Andersen PK, Banasik K, et al. Intervening on the storage time of RBC units and its effects on adverse recipient outcomes using real-world data. Blood. 2022 Apr 28:blood.2022015892. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
USA: Moderna completes FDA submission for use of COVID shot in adolescents, kids (11 May 2022)
Growing share of Covid-19 deaths are among vaccinated people, but booster shots substantially lower the risk (11 May 2022)
Industry news: BD, Babson set sights on bringing simple blood collection into the home (11 May 2022)
In Memoriam: Morris “Moe” Blajchman, MD, FRCPC (10 May 2022)
Canada: Saskatchewan 'close to a breaking point' with lab tech shortage (10 May 2022)
Biomarkers in the blood can indicate the seriousness of head trauma (10 May 2022) | Related:
- Thomas I, Dickens AM, Posti JP, et al.;CENTER-TBI Participants and Investigators. Serum metabolome associated with severity of acute traumatic brain injury. Nat Commun. 2022 May 10;13(1):2545. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
USA: Study finds ‘substantial’ underrepresentation of black patients in CAR-T clinical trials (10 May 2022) | Related:
- Al Hadidi S, Schinke C, Thanendrarajan S, et al. Enrollment of black participants in pivotal clinical trials supporting US Food and Drug Administration approval of chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy for hematological malignant neoplasms. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Apr 1;5(4):e228161. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Pre-transfusion testing only necessary for select degenerative cervical spine surgery patients (10 May 2022) | Related:
- Núñez JH, Bosch-García D, Escudero B, et al. Is routine blood typing and screening necessary for degenerative cervical spine surgery patients in specialty surgical hospitals? Transfusion. 2022 Apr 23. Epub ahead of print.
Medication side effects tied to higher blood transfusion rates in those with Parkinson's disease (6 May 2022)
USA: FDA limits use of J&J COVID vaccine due to blood clot risk (5 May 2022)
Discovery provides critical clues to why many immunotherapies trigger dangerous side effects (5 May 2022) | Related:
- Eschweiler S, Ramírez-Suástegui C, Li Y, et al. Intermittent PI3K inhibition sustains anti-tumour immunity and curbs irAEs. Nature. 2022 May 4. Epub ahead of print. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
Stress in healthcare workers: a model to help us rethink challenges (3 May 2022)
Canada: Blood test vial supplies stabilize, but concerns remain (3 May 2022)
Researchers develop smartphone-powered microchip for at-home medical diagnostic testing (2 May 2022) | Related:
- Ertsgaard CT, Yoo D, Christenson PR, et al. Open-channel microfluidics via resonant wireless power transfer. Nat Commun. 2022 Apr 6;13(1):1869. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Hospitals can reduce antibiotic overuse by avoiding unnecessary blood draws in critically ill children, study shows (2 May 2022) | Related:
- Woods-Hill CZ, Colantuoni EA, Koontz DW, et al. Association of diagnostic stewardship for blood cultures in critically ill children with culture rates, antibiotic use, and patient outcomes: Results of the Bright STAR Collaborative. JAMA Pediatr. 2022 May 2. Epub ahead of print.
USA: CDC: Adenovirus should be considered in diagnosis of acute hepatitis in children (2 May 2022)
Proven mRNA technologies embolden vaccine and drug makers (2 May 2022)
Pfizer's oral COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid falls short as preventive therapy, new data shows (2 May 2022)
Global prevalence of long COVID ‘substantial,’ researchers say (1 May 2022) | Related:
- Chen C, Haupert SR, Zimmermann L, et al. Global Prevalence of Post COVID-19 Condition or Long COVID: A meta-analysis and systematic review. J Infect Dis. 2022 Apr 16:jiac136. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Taking data visualization for blood management to the next level and beyond (April 2022)
AABB: Proposed draft Standards for Perioperative Autologous Blood Collection and Administration, 10th edition, is available for public comment until May 18
Artificial intelligence in digital pathology developments lean toward practical tools (29 Apr. 2022)
Canada: Health Canada reviewing Moderna vaccine for kids under 6 (29 Apr. 2022)
We’re facing a critical shortage of medical laboratory professionals (28 Apr. 2022)
Hepatitis: Africa’s 2030 strategic elimination plan (28 Apr. 2022)
Canada: Health Canada ends ban on blood donations from gay men (28 Apr. 2022) | Related:
- Canadian Blood Services to remove eligibility criteria specific to men who have sex with men (28 Apr. 2022)
Global vaccine rates need to be higher to fight new variants: Gavi, UNICEF (25 Apr. 2022)
1 death, 17 liver transplants in multi-country outbreak of hepatitis in children, WHO says (25 Apr. 2022) | Related:
- WHO: Acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (15 Apr. 2022)
Industry news: Canada's Qvella secures CE mark for FAST System and FAST-PBC Prep Cartridge (25 Apr. 2022)
A mighty kind movement brought to you by the Orgamites (22 Apr. 2022)
USA: FDA could authorize Covid shots for children under 5 in June (21 Apr. 2022)
Calcium in hemorrhagic trauma (21 Apr. 2022) | Reviewing the trauma lethal triad: hypothermia, acidosis and coagulopathy
USA: Moderna to file for EUA of COVID-19 shot for very young kids by April end (20 Apr. 2022)
UTD engineers’ new rapid virus test raises bar for detection (20 Apr. 2022) | Related:
- Liu Y, Ye H, Huynh H, et al. Digital plasmonic nanobubble detection for rapid and ultrasensitive virus diagnostics. Nat Commun. 2022 Mar 30;13(1):1687. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
More than cost: The true impact of errors (20 Apr. 2022)
USA: Emory researchers successfully use mRNA to activate genes (19 Apr. 2022) | Related:
- Beyersdorf JP, Bawage S, Iglesias N, et al. Robust, durable gene activation in vivo via mRNA-encoded activators. ACS Nano. 2022 Mar 31. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Scientists create first map of human blood stem cell development (19 Apr. 2022)
‘Overriding adolescent refusals of treatment’ (University of Oxford blog, 19 Apr. 2022)
Will mRNA technology companies spawn innovation ecosystems? (18 Apr. 2022)
World Hemophilia Day (17 April)
USA: Workplace a ‘major driver’ of COVID-19 among health care personnel (16 Apr. 2022) | Related:
- Billock RM, Groenewold MR, Sweeney MH, et al. Reported exposure trends among healthcare personnel COVID-19 cases, USA, March 2020-March 2021. Am J Infect Control. 2022 Feb 22:S0196-6553(22)00043-8. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) moon shot: Developing pandemic vaccines in 100 days (13 Apr. 2022)
Rilzabrutinib active, safe in immune thrombocytopenia (13 Apr. 2022)
WHO: Despite decline in infections, deaths, COVID-19 pandemic still far from over (12 Apr. 2022) | While some of the high-income countries were rolling out fourth doses of the life-saving jabs, one third of the world’s population is yet to receive a single dose, including 83% of the population of Africa.
New 3D printing technique: A game changer for medical testing devices (12 Apr. 2022)
WHO monitoring 2 more Omicron sub-variants known as BA.4 and BA.5 (11 Apr. 2022)
New evidence shows blood or plasma donations can reduce the PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in our bodies (10 Apr. 2022)
UN chief Antonio Guterres warns of large COVID outbreaks in Asia, says pandemic far from over (9 Apr. 2022)
Historical: Medicine and Molière’s ‘imaginary patient’ (9 Apr. 2022)
Current and prospective landscape of treatment options for rare anemias (8 Apr. 2022)
Why we must reduce the demand for blood and not just increase donations (7 Apr. 2022) | Opinion piece by Carolyn Burns, MD:President for the Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management.
Fact Check: It is unsafe to receive a blood transfusion from a vaccinated person (7 Apr. 2022) | False
Gammon RR. How do I maintain an adequate inventory and avoid wastage during normal times and in a pandemic? (AABB PPM, April 2022)
Medical and non-medical laboratories in UK and Europe hit by rising costs and supply shortages due to high demand for testing services (6 Apr. 2022)
Researchers develop novel device to “cleanse” the blood of chemotherapeutic drugs (6 Apr. 2022) | Related:
- Motamarry A, Wolfe AM, Ramajayam KK, et al. Extracorporeal removal of thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin from systemic circulation after tumor delivery to reduce toxicities. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Mar 4;14(5):1322. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
What does Baghdad mean on 'Chicago Med'? Some viewers find it offensive (6 Apr. 2022)
UK has detected a new Covid variant. Here’s what we know so far about omicron XE (6 Apr. 2022) | Related:
- Omicron XE variant: 5 things to know (4 Apr. 2022) | Related:
These steps may identify patients eligible for shorter DAA therapy for HCV (5 Apr. 2022)
These steps may identify patients eligible for shorter DAA therapy for HCV (5 Apr. 2022)
How sleep and mental health were affected in Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic (4 Apr. 2022) | Related:
- González-Hijón J, Anna K. Kähler AK, Frans EM, et al. Unravelling the link between sleep and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. medRxiv 2022 1 Apr. 2022. Preprint. (Free full text)
Scientists engineer "universal donor" lungs (April 2022) | Related:
- Wang A, Ribeiro RVP, Ali A, et al. Ex vivo enzymatic treatment converts blood type A donor lungs into universal blood type lungs. Sci Transl Med. 2022 Feb 16;14(632):eabm7190.
Heart issues more common after Covid infection than vaccination, CDC reports (1 Apr. 2022) | Related:
- Block JP, Boehmer TK, Forrest CB, et al. Cardiac complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection and mRNA COVID-19 vaccination PCORnet, United States, January 2021January 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 1 April 2022. (Free full text)
Blood collection tube shortages continue - ‘routine’ labs should be limited (28 Mar. 2022)
Canada (CBS): First-in-Canada approach for personalized hemophilia care gets national award (18 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- "Pharmacist integration into the Hemophilia Treatment Centre: A Canadian pilot project to optimize treatment and improve cost-savings using pharmacokinetic assessments of hemophilia patients" (Includes abstract and 5:16 min. video)
ISBT: Identify critical elements of a scientific manuscript review ( Dr. Ziggy Szczepiorkowski webinar: 47:58 min.)
Catching the flu and COVID-19 at the same time doubles your risk of dying, new study finds (28 Mar. 2022) |
Man turned away from British Airways flight dies after missing blood transfusion (25 Mar. 2022)
New study reveals why HIV remains in human tissue even after antiretroviral therapy (25 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- Shahbaz S, Okoye I, Blevins G, Elahi S. Elevated ATP via enhanced miRNA-30b, 30c, and 30e downregulates the expression of CD73 in CD8+ T cells of HIV-infected individuals. PLoS Pathog. Epub 24 March, 2022. (Free full text)
Evidence grows that vaccines lower the risk of getting long COVID (24 Mar. 2022)
Canada: Health Canada authorizes Héma-Québec submission to make source plasma donor screening criteria more inclusive for men who have sex with men (24 Mar. 2022)
Internet of Things (IoT) becomes greater focus for pharma (23 Mar. 2022) | IoT defined: System of interrelated, internet-connected objects that are able to collect and transfer data over a wireless network without human intervention
New nanoparticle-based COVID-19 vaccine platform could target other infectious diseases (23 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- Teplensky MH, Distler ME, Kusmierz CD, et al. Spherical nucleic acids as an infectious disease vaccine platform. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2022 Apr 5;119(14):e2119093119. Epub 2022 Mar 21. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
USA: Biden administration eyeing 2nd booster shot recommendation for older Americans within weeks (23 Mar. 2022)
WHO: BA.2, or ‘stealth omicron,’ takes over as dominant variant circulating worldwide (23 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- WHO: Weekly epidemiological update on COVID-19 - 22 March 2022
WHO blames rising Covid cases in Europe on curbs lifted too soon (22 Mar. 2022)
USA: Johns Hopkins engineers build robot to perform surgery without a doctor (22 Mar. 2022)
USA: ACC health policy statement outlines strategies to address bias, discrimination, bullying and harassment in the workplace (17 Mar. 2022)
A gene therapy for hemophilia boosts levels of a crucial clotting protein (16 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- Ozelo MC, Mahlangu J, Pasi KJ, et al.; GENEr8-1 Trial Group. Valoctocogene Roxaparvovec gene therapy for hemophilia A. N Engl J Med. 2022 Mar 17;386(11):1013-25.
USA: Alleviating the stress that COVID-19 has placed on US health care (14 Mar. 2022)
Pfizer CEO says new COVID variants might make four—or more—vaccine doses ‘necessary’ for returning to normal (14 Mar. 2022)
The 13-step guide for conducting cell & gene therapy EHS risk assessments (14 Mar. 2022)
WHO concerned about drop in COVID-19 testing (9 Mar. 2022)
Researchers identify 'Deltacron' Covid variant that combines Delta and Omicron (9 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- Colson P, Fournier P-E, Delerce J, et al. Culture and identification of a “Deltamicron” SARS-CoV-2 in a three cases cluster in southern France. medRxiv 2022 8 Feb. 2022. doi:10.1101/2022.03.03.22271812. Preprint. (Free full text)
Study links shift work with poorer working memory and slower mental processing speed (9 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- Vlasak T, Dujlovic T, Barth A. Neurocognitive impairment in night and shift workers: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Occup Environ Med. 2022 Mar 8:oemed-2021-107847. Epub ahead of print.
USA: Pharma spars with US over ban on Mexican nationals donating paid blood plasma (9 Mar. 2022)
Public health experts pitch their own path to the 'next' normal (8 Mar. 2022)
Protein tweak makes CRISPR gene editing 4,000 times less error-prone (3 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- Bravo JPK, Liu MS, Hibshman GN, et al. Structural basis for mismatch surveillance by CRISPR-Cas9. Nature. 2022 Mar 2. Epub ahead of print. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
WHO recommends Merck COVID pill for non-severe, at-risk patients (3 Mar. 2022)
This cool new imaging technique shows blood vessels like never before (3 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- Bhargava A, Monteagudo B, Kushwaha P, et al. VascuViz: a multimodality and multiscale imaging and visualization pipeline for vascular systems biology. Nat Methods. 2022 Feb;19(2):242-54. Epub 2022 Feb 10.
Canada: New CSTM blog - 'I will remember you: Astrid Maguire' | Well worth a read and includes many tips for all transfusion professionals.
Canada: In memoriam - Dr. David Ferguson | Also see Dr. Ferguson's entry in a transfusion medicine blog
Industry news: Novartis backs Epsilogen's bid to turn 'Cinderella antibody' into new class of cancer drug (2 Mar. 2022)
Library resource: ISBT Code of Ethics (Available in 8 languages)
Diseases in the news: Children with congenital Zika syndrome 11 times more likely to die, large study finds (24 Feb. 2022) | Related:
- Paixao ES, Cardim LL, Costa MCN, et al. Mortality from congenital zika syndrome - nationwide cohort study in Brazil. N Engl J Med. 2022 Feb 24;386(8):757-67. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Industry news: TargED Biopharmaceuticals will use €39m from a Series A financing to bring its thrombolytic treatment to patients (22 Feb. 2022)
More free medical journals at PuBMed Central
Free e-books on Internet:
- Blood Groups and Red Cell Antigens (2005)
- Transfusion chapters in StatPearls [Internet] (2022)
What it’s like to specialize in pathology: Shadowing Dr. Koepsell (24 Feb. 2022) | Dr's specialty is pathology and laboratory medicine with a subspecialty in transfusion medicine and cellular therapy.
New studies bring BA.2 variant into sharper focus (24 Feb. 2022) | Related:
- Wolter N, Jassat W, DATCOV-Gen author group, von Gottberg A, Cohen C. Clinical severity of Omicron sub-lineage BA.2 compared to BA.1 in South Africa. medRxiv [Preprint]. Epub 19 Feb. 2022. (Free full text)
- Stegger M, Edslev SM, Sieber RN, et al. Occurrence and significance of Omicron BA.1 infection followed by BA.2 reinfection. medRxiv [Preprint]. Epub 22 Feb. 2022. (Free full text)
Q&A: How do we make the best use of blood banks in sub-Saharan Africa? (23 Feb. 2022)
ß-thalassemia patients achieve transfusion independence with gene therapy (23 Feb. 2022)
Industry news: Sanofi and GSK seek approval for Covid-19 vaccine (23 Feb. 2022)
Big pharma tried to scuttle Africa bid to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines locally (19 Feb. 2022)
Global cases are dropping, but the WHO is watching an Omicron subvariant (18 Feb. 2022)
COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on Feb. 18 (18 Feb. 2022)
WHO warns of COVID rise In eastern Europe amid lagging vaccination efforts (15 Feb. 2022)
Diseases in the news: After more than 40 years, ‘HIV vaccine remains elusive’ (13 Feb. 2022)
Smartphone app can vibrate a single drop of blood to determine how well it clots (11 Feb. 2022) | Related:
- Chan J, Michaelsen K, Estergreen JK, et al. Micro-mechanical blood clot testing using smartphones. Nat Commun. 2022 Feb 11;13(1):831. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
What runners should know about donating blood (11 Feb. 2022)
In unvaccinated pregnant women, Covid can cause deadly harm to babies (10 Feb. 2022) | Related:
- Schwartz DA, Avvad-Portari E, Babál P, et al. Placental tissue destruction and insufficiency from COVID-19 causes stillbirth and neonatal death from hypoxic-ischemic injury: a study of 68 cases with SARS-CoV-2 placentitis from 12 countries. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2022 Feb 10. Epub ahead of print. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
Novavax seeks to clear Covid shot for teens after successful trial (10 Feb. 2022) | Vaccine is 80% effective in adolescents
WHO urges rich countries to pay up for Covid plan (9 Feb. 2022)
Diseases in the news: Ebola lurking in brain fluid kills monkeys weeks after recovery (9 Feb. 2022)
New CRISPR tool maps out routes to better immune cell therapies for cancer, autoimmune diseases (8 Feb. 2022) | Related:
- Schmidt R, Steinhart Z, Layeghi M, et al. CRISPR activation and interference screens decode stimulation responses in primary human T cells. Science. 2022 Feb 4;375(6580):eabj4008. Epub 2022 Feb 4
Plasma donor compensation still an ‘open wound’ in EU’s blood directive revision (7 Feb. 2022)
AABB Newsletter (Feb. 2022) | Related: Preview for non-members
Continuous monitoring of pooled international trials of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 hospitalized patients | Related:
- Petkova E, Antman EM, Troxel AB. Pooling data from individual clinical trials in the COVID-19 era. (Viewpoint)vJAMA. 2020 Aug 11;324(6):543-5. (Free full text)
- Statistical modeling proposal for continuous monitoring of pooled international trials of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 hospitalized patients: COMPILE (7 Aug. 2020)
Industry news: Pfizer and BioNTech start trials of new omicron-specific jab (25 Jan. 2022)
Industry news: As omicron spreads nationally, Octapharma’s fibryga® & Octaplas™ become increasingly important replacement therapies (24 Jan. 2022)
New production method developed to freeze-dry COVID-19 vaccines (21 Jan. 2022)
What is ‘Golden Blood, the incredibly rare blood type known as Rh null (20 Jan. 2022) | Related:
- The man with the golden blood (20 Oct. 2014)
- Dean L. Blood Groups and Red Cell Antigens [Internet]: Ch. 7 The Rh blood group
USA: The omicron variant is deepening severe staffing shortages in medical laboratories across the US (19 Jan. 2022)
Omicron won't be the last COVID-19 variant, WHO says (19 Jan. 2022)
Considering the role of ESAs and blood transfusions in MDS management (17 Jan. 2022)
WHO: HEV outbreak in Chad (17 Jan. 2022)
Even mild COVID-19 cases can result in lingering heart issues (17 Jan. 2022)
Canada: $10K bonuses for Nunavut nurses drove 5 of 8 Iqaluit lab technologists to resign (14 Jan. 2022)
AABB: Value and accuracy of point-of-care testing (Jan. 2022)
USA: U.S. averaging 700K new COVID-19 cases daily as deltacron revealed (10 Jan. 2022)
Canada: Baby bobcat in New Brunswick saved by blood transfusion from cat (6 Jan. 2022)
WHO chief ‘confident’ world can end pandemic in 2022, but only with global effort (2 Jan. 2022)
Saliva in the spotlight for rapid SARS-CoV-2 detection (1 Jan. 2022)
WHO warns new Covid variants could emerge that are fully resistant to vaccines as pandemic drags on (29 Dec. 2021)
Canada: Dr. Graham Sher, CEO of Canadian Blood Services, named to Order of Canada (29 Dec. 2021)
Moderna vaccine trial for young children nears the finish line (29 Dec. 2021)
WHO's interactive map of COVID-19 cases worldwide (29 Dec. 2021 & vaccines administered as of 3 Jan. 2022) | If you hover over each country you can see the case count & deaths in each.
USA: FDA says antigen tests may be less sensitive to omicron (28 Dec. 2021) | Related:
- FDA: Omicron variant: Impact on antigen diagnostic tests (28 Dec. 2021)
Pioneers of blood group serology in the United States:1950–1990. Immunohematology 2009;25(3): 90-4. | Table 2 has a list of AABB Ivor Dunsford Memorial Award honorees (1963-2003) that all transfusion serologists will recognize.
USA: Congress must meet the moment to hold Big Pharma accountable (28 Dec. 2021)
Omicron COVID-19 variant spread quickly to most nations: WHO (15 Dec. 2021)
Canada (CBS): An update on our journey to build a more inclusive blood system (15 Dec. 2021)
New inhaled SARS-CoV-2 antibody treatment set to enter clinical trials (13 Dec. 2021)
USA:Most reported U.S. Omicron cases have hit the fully vaccinated -CDC (10 Dec. 2021)
How does access to transfusion services affect hospice decision-making? (10 Dec. 2021)
WHO: While African COVID-19 cases surge, omicron appears less severe (9 Dec. 2021)
WHO - Omicron could have 'major impact', but no definitive answers yet (9 Dec. 2021)
USA: CDC updates its guidelines to encourage doctors to talk everyone who is sexually active about PrEP to prevent HIV (8 Dec. 2021) | Related:
- NIH: HIV Prevention (PreP)
- CDC: HIV Basics (PreP)
- CDC: Preexposure prophylaxis for the prevention of HIV infection in the United States 2021 Update (A Clinical Practice Guideline, 108 pp. pdf)
WHO advises against use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19 (7 Dec. 2021)
In memoriam: W. John Judd, FIBMS, MIBIOL (6 Dec. 2021)
In Memoriam: Dr. Alvin Zipursky devoted his career to eradicating Rh disease and inspired others to continue his work (8 Nov. 2021) | Also see Google results: "Alvin Zipursky obituary".
Blood transfusion reactions in dogs | VCA Hospitals (USA & Canada)
AABB Standards Committee seeks input to these guide updates - Comments on all by 7 Jan. 2022:
- AABB Standards for Molecular Testing for Red Cell, Platelet and Neutrophil Antigens, Sixth Edition (Takes effect Oct. 1, 2022)
- AABB Standards for Perioperative Autologous Blood Collection and Administration, 10th Edition (Takes effect 1 Jan. 2023)
- AABB Standards for a Patient Blood Management Program, Fourth Edition (Takes effect 1 July 1, 2023)
AABB: All 8 individual 2021 recipients | Includes 5 females, 1 from Netherlands, 2 each from Canada & the USA.
2021 AABB Awards (45 min. video) | I'll highlight only 3 but you can see all at link above.
- Dr. Anneke Brand (The Netherlands) | Karl Landsteiner Memorial Award
- Dr. Heather Hume (Canada) | Emily Cooley Memorial Award
- Dr. Dana Devine (Canada) | Hemphill-Jordan Leadership Award
Dr. Dana Devine, Canadian Blood Services’ chief scientist, inaugurated as president of the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies -AABB (Nov.12 2021)
Blood groups A, B, Rh+ are at high risk to COVID-19 infection: study (30 Nov. 2021) | Related:
- Rana R, Ranjan V, Kumar N. Association of ABO and Rh blood group in susceptibility, severity, and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019: a hospital-based study from Delhi, India. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021 Nov 2;11:767771. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
In Memoriam: David J. Anstee, PhD, FRCPath, FMedSci, internationally renowned expert in transfusion medicine, died on Oct. 18. | Anstee’s career at the UK’s NHSBT) spanned more than 50 years. Received 2019 AABB’s Karl Landsteiner Memorial Award and Lectureship. He co-wrote Applied Blood Group Serology with Peter D. Issitt, widely considered one of the most influential books for professionals in immunohematology. (23 Nov. 2021)
In Memoriam: Anneke Brand, MD, PhD, professor emeritus at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands and 2021 recipient of AABB’s Karl Landsteiner Memorial Award and Lectureship, died on Sunday, 21 Nov. (23 Nov. 2021)
Booster shots prompt stronger, longer protection than original shots: study (22 Nov. 2021)
- Demonbreun AR, Sancilio A, Vaught LA, et al. Antibody titers before and after booster doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in healthy adults. (Free full text) MedRxiv. Epub 21 Nov. 2021.
Patient's immune system 'naturally' cures HIV in the second case of its kind (20 Nov. 2021) | Related
- Rare case of woman's body ridding itself of HIV (16 Nov. 2021)
- Turk G, Seiger K, Lian X, et al. A possible sterilizing cure of HIV-1 infection without stem cell transplantation. Ann Intern Med. 2021 Nov 16. Epub ahead of print.
- Gupta RK, Peppa D, Hill AL, et al. Evidence for HIV-1 cure after CCR5 32/ 32 allogeneic haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation 30 months post analytical treatment interruption: a case report. Lancet HIV. 2020 May;7(5):e340-e347. Epub 2020 Mar 10. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
- Jiang C, Lian X, Gao C, et al. Distinct viral reservoirs in individuals with spontaneous control of HIV-1. Nature. 2020 Sep;585(7824):261-7. Epub 2020 Aug 26. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
- Woldemeskel BA, Kwaa AK, Blankson JN. Viral reservoirs in elite controllers of HIV-1 infection: Implications for HIV cure strategies. EBioMedicine. 2020 Dec;62:103118. Epub 2020 Nov 10. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Full ICUs amid COVID surges could lead to thousands of extra deaths (19 Nov. 2021) | Related:
- French G, Hulse M, Nguyen D, et al. Impact of hospital strain on excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic - United States, July 2020-July 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021 Nov 19;70(46):1613-16. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
A new, gel-based wearable can catch infections before the naked eye can (19 Nov. 2021)
Blood could be manufactured for transfusion within a decade after ‘Rosetta Stone’ moment for embryo scientists (17 Nov. 2021) | Related:
- Tyser RCV, Mahammadov E, Nakanoh S, et al. Single-cell transcriptomic characterization of a gastrulating human embryo. Nature. 2021 Nov 17. Epub ahead of print.
Canada: CBS to recommend end to ban on donations from men who have sex with men (16 Nov. 2021)
New approaches urged to boost collection of plasma in EU (15 Nov. 2021)
UK: Families should mobilise to influence Covid-19 inquiry, expert says (14 Nov. 2021)
Israel: Evogene announces participation in the second research period of the CRISPR-IL Consortium with ~$14.4 million in new funding (10 Nov. 2021)
USA: Analysis: COVID-19 pills are coming, but no substitute for vaccines, disease experts say (9 Nov. 2021)
USA: Transfusion report examines lessons learned from the covid-19 pandemic for hospital transfusion services (9 Nov. 2021) | Related:
- Rajbhandary S, Shmookler A, Cohn CS, et al. Hospital transfusion service operations during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: Lessons learned from the AABB hospital survey in preparation for the next infectious disease outbreak. Transfusion. 2021 Nov;61(11):3129-38. Epub 2021 Sep 1. (Free access) | PubMed abstract
U.S. government to buy $1 billion more worth of Merck's COVID-19 pill molnupiravir (9 Nov. 2021)
Global Covid-19 cases surpass 250 million, 5 million deaths (8 Nov. 2021) | U.S. accounts for 20% of cases, India 14%, Brazil 9%: 3 nations account for more than 40% of all cases.
Regeneron’s antibody drug shows protection against Covid-19 for up to 8 months (8 Nov. 2021)
Blood transfusions in kidney transplant recipients raise venous thromboembolism risk (7 Nov. 2021) | Related:
- Massicotte-Azarniouch, Sood MM, Fergusson DA, et al. Blood transfusion and venous thromboembolism in kidney transplant patients. Presented at: Kidney Week 2021, November 2-7, 2021. Poster PO2119.
Fewer blood transfusions for patients with AML has humanistic, economic benefits (5 Nov. 2021)
Merck's Molnupiravir: First pill to treat Covid gets approval in UK (4 Nov. 2021)
Canada: AI making progress in collaborative projects across Canada (4 Nov. 2021)
UK: Oxford scientists find gene that doubles risk of dying from Covid-19 (4 Nov. 2021)
Climate crisis: Big Pharma lays out its green credentials (2 Nov. 2021)
Canada: University of Alberta-industry partnership poised to close Canada’s drug supply gaps (2 Nov. 2021)
Comprehensive patient blood management program can reduce use of transfusions, improve patient outcomes (1 Nov. 2021) | Related:
- Warner MA, Schulte PJ, Hanson AC, et al. Implementation of a comprehensive patient blood management program for hospitalized patients at a large United States medical center. Mayo Clin Proc 2021. Epub 1 Nov. 2021.
Curious case of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in a dog (1 Nov. 2021) | Related:
- Doerksen T, Lu A, Noll L, et al. Near-complete genome of SARS-CoV-2 Delta (AY.3) variant identified in a dog in Kansas, USA. Viruses. 2021 Oct 19;13(10):2104. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
NIH researchers identify how two people controlled HIV after stopping treatment (29 Oct. 2021) | Related:
- Blazkova J, Gao F, Marichannegowda MH, et al. Distinct mechanisms of long-term virologic control in two HIV-infected individuals after treatment interruption of anti-retroviral therapy. Nat Med. 2021 Oct 28. Epub ahead of print.
USA: At least 89% of vaccinated American adults will qualify for Covid-19 booster shots (29 Oct. 2021) | Guidelines for who is considered high risk for Covid-19 include people in certain jobs, teachers/health care workers, as well as anyone who is overweight, depressed or a long list of other medical conditions. Nearly 75% of people age 20 and over are overweight, according to the CDC.
USA: Immunocompromised may need a fourth Covid-19 shot, CDC says (27 Oct. 2021)
Vaccine equity has not improved much (24 Oct. 2021)
USA: Children are expected to be eligible for the vaccine in early November, Dr. Anthony Fauci says (24 Oct. 2021)
USA: Officials keep close watch on the ‘delta plus’ Covid mutation as it spreads in the UK (23 Oct. 2021)
USA: CDC approves Moderna and J&J Covid vaccine boosters, allowing people to mix-and-match shots (22 Oct. 2021)
USA: Study: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients have 3-fold higher risk for cognitive decline (22 Oct. 2021) | Related:
- Becker JH, Lin JJ, Doernberg M, et al. Assessment of cognitive function in patients after COVID-19 infection. (Research letter) JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Oct 1;4(10):e2130645. (Free full text)
USA: What is the chargemaster? (20 Oct. 2021) | [Relates to USA's lack of a universal healthcare system. Studies show prices for drugs, procedures, lab tests are highly variable.] | Related:
- Adkins BD, Kneib J, Plummer WD, et al. Extracorporeal photopheresis chargemasters show haphazard billing practices. Transfusion. 2021 Oct;61(10):2844-8. Epub 2021 Jul 23.
- Arvisais-Anhalt S, McDonald S, Park JY, et al. Survey of hospital chargemaster transparency. Appl Clin Inform. 2021 Mar;12(2):391-8. 1729168. Epub 2021 May 5.
Vaccines '90% effective' at preventing Delta variant deaths (20 Oct. 2021) | Related:
- Sheikh A, Robertson C, Taylor B. BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccine effectiveness against death from the Delta variant. (Letter to the editor) N Engl J Med. 2021 Oct 20. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text)
USA: FDA authorizes boosters for Moderna and J&J vaccines (20 Oct. 2021)
First, the surgeons attached a genetically modified pig kidney to a human and found that the organ is functioning normally (20 Oct. 2021)
AABB: Canada's Dana Devine, PhD, (Chief Medical & Scientific Officer at CBS) inaugurated as new AABB president (19 Oct. 2021)
WHO-led programme aims to buy antiviral COVID-19 pills for $10 (19 Oct. 2021)
New mathematical model points to solution to global blood shortage, according to Stanford researchers (19 Oct. 2021) | Related:
- Li W, Tsai AG, Intaglietta M, Tartakovsky DM. A model of anemic tissue perfusion after blood transfusion shows critical role of endothelial response to shear stress stimuli. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2021 Oct 14. Epub ahead of print.
Rare blood reinforces importance of rare blood inventories (19 Oct. 2021)
USA: When blood transfusion is not an option: Yale Neuro-ICU successfully administers transfusion replacement therapy (18 Oct. 2021) | Related:
- Vrselja Z, Daniele SG, Silbereis J, et al. Restoration of brain circulation and cellular functions hours post-mortem. Nature. 2019 Apr;568(7752):336-43. Epub 2019 Apr 17. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Canada: Treatment and detection of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) (CBS, 15 Oct. 2021)
Canada: The science of giving (13 Oct. 2021) | The move to make CBS more inclusive for blood donors.
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as a first shot had a stronger immune response when boosted with vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna (13 Oct. 2021)
Canada (CBS): Expanding plasma eligibility for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (12 Oct. 2021)
WHO advises additional COVID shot for immunocompromised people (11 Oct. 2021)
Delta and Delta Plus evade the antibody response (8 Oct. 2021)
UK: Rosalind Franklin laboratory processes one millionth COVID-19 PCR test (Press release, Health Security Agency: 8 Oct. 2021)
USA: The White House will spend an additional $1 billion on rapid at-home COVID tests (6 Oct. 2021)
Canada: CBS welcomes unvaccinated donors (6 Oct. 2021)
Turning leftover specimens into treasure (1 Oct. 2021)
USA (HIV): Black women with HIV at highest risk for premature mortality a 21-year study finds (1 Oct. 2021) | Based on abstract: Pellegrino R, Rebeiro PF, Turner M, et al. Sex and race disparities in premature mortality among people with HIV: A 21-year observational cohort study. Abstract 53: IDWeek 2021; held online 29 Sept. - 3 Oct. 2021.
USA: Merck says experimental drug molnupiravir cuts worst effects of COVID-19 (1 Oct. 2021) | Related:
- Merck data for COVID-19 pill draw global interest for procurements (2 Oct. 2021)
Engineers develop a new miniature gene-editing system (Oct. 2021) | Related:
- Xu X, Chemparathy A, Zeng L, et al. Engineered miniature CRISPR-Cas system for mammalian genome regulation and editing. Mol Cell. 2021 Aug 26:S1097-2765(21)00648-1. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
USA: CDC finds reactions to booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine similar to second (28 Sept. 2021) | Related:
- Hause AM, Baggs J, Gee J, et al. Safety monitoring of an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine - United States, August 12-September 19, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021 Oct 1;70(39):1379-84. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
AABB announces its 2021 award recipients (20 Sept. 2021) | Includes 2 Canadians, Dr. Dana Devine and Dr. Heather Hume
AABB's virtual meeting: Plenary Oral Abstract Session (n=4) (18 Oct. 2021)
Canada (Industry news): CBS selects Roche Diagnostics as a partner of choice for transmissible blood screening in Canada (23 Sept. 2021)
AABB Annual Meeting announces 'Late-Breaking Oral Abstract Session' highlighting research on blood donor sex, COVID-19, platelets (20 Sept. 2021)
WHO asks for commitments on maternal and newborn health (17 Sept. 2021)
World Marrow Donor Day (18 Sept. 2021) | World Marrow Donor Association
Maintaining platelet safety and inventory AABB News - Complementary issue for non-members (Sept. 2021)
Canada (CBS):
- International collaboration on the cusp of delivering a new, more precise way to type blood
- 2020 Surveillance Report shows blood supply remained above target in first year of pandemic (16 Sept. 2021)
- Improving red blood cell inventory to support patients with sickle cell disease (7 Sept. 2021)
WHO's World Patient Safety Day Goals 2021 promote safe maternal and newborn practices (16 Sept. 2021)
Convalescent plasma doesn’t help severely ill COVID-19 patients, Canadian study shows (16 Sept. 2021) | Related:
- Bégin P, Callum J, Jamula E, et al.; CONCOR-1 Study Group, Arnold DM. Convalescent plasma for hospitalized patients with COVID-19: an open-label, randomized controlled trial. Nat Med. 2021 Sep 9. Epub ahead of print. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
Study: Moderna COVID-19 immunity lasts 6 months (14 Sept. 2021)
How effective are COVID-19 vaccines against mild and severe disease? (14 Sept. 2021) | Related:
- Thompson MG, Stenehjem E, Grannis S, et al. Effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines in ambulatory and inpatient care settings. N Engl J Med. 2021 Sep 8. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
COVID-19 may trigger CAD in children (10 Sept. 2021) | Related:
- Zama D, Pancaldi L, Baccelli F, et al. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in children with COVID-19. (Letter to the editor) Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 Sep 7:e29330. Epub ahead of print. (Free access)
Big Pharma - How much power do drug companies have? (Deutsche Welle documentary 12 Sept. 2021) | ~42 min. video
Blood samples, predictive analytics determine COVID-19 outcomes (9 Sept. 2021)
New data show organ transplants fell by 31% worldwide during COVID-19 pandemic (8 Sept. 2021) | Related:
- Aubert O, Yoo D, Zielinski D, et al. COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide organ transplantation: a population-based study. Lancet Public Health. 2021 Aug 30:S2468-2667(21)00200-0. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
WHO publication: Regional desk review of haemoglobinopathies with an emphasis on thalassaemia and accessibility and availability of safe blood and blood products as per these patients’ requirement in South-East Asia under universal health coverage (7 Sept. 2021)
Priorities in haematological care in sub-Saharan Africa from Lancet Haematol (7 articles with full free text requiring registration)
CRISPR-engineered cells release drug in response to inflammation when implanted into mice (2 Sept. 2021) | Related:
- Choi Y-R, Collins KH, Springer LE, et al. A genome-engineered bioartificial implant for autoregulated anticytokine drug delivery. Sci Adv. 2021 Sep1;7(32). (Free full text)
WHO monitoring new coronavirus variant named Mu (1 Sept. 2021)
What the history of blood transfusion reveals about risk (1 Sept. 2021) | Every medical intervention - even one with a centuries-long history - brings dangers, some of which become clear only later.
Johnson & Johnson’s HIV vaccine fails first efficacy trial (31 Aug. 2021)
South African researchers keep wary eye on yet another new coronavirus variant (31 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- Scheepers C, Everatt J, Amoako DG, et al. The continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa: a new lineage with rapid accumulation of mutations of concern and global detection. [26 Aug. 2021 Preprint on medRxiv] (Free full text)
Roctavian’s benefits sustained for up to 5 years in trial patients (30 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- Pasi KJ, Laffan M, Rangarajan S, et al. Persistence of haemostatic response following gene therapy with valoctocogene roxaparvovec in severe haemophilia A. Haemophilia. 2021 Aug 11. Epub ahead of print. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
CDC warns against using anti-parasite drug to treat or prevent COVID-19 (28 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- FDA: Why you should not use Ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19 (5 Mar. 2021)
- Memorial Medical Center wins court order to deny controversial drug ivermectin as COVID-19 treatment (31 Aug. 2021)
- Canada: Alberta feed stores inundated with calls for ivermectin over false claims livestock dewormer treats COVID (30 Aug. 2021)
Half of COVID-19 survivors have at least 1 symptom a year later (27 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- Huang L, Yao Q, Gu X, et al. 1-year outcomes in hospital survivors with COVID-19: a longitudinal cohort study. Lancet. 2021 Aug 28;398(10302):747-58. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
1 in 5 people with COVID-19 pass it to others in household, study finds (27 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- Madewell ZJ, Yang Y, Longini IM Jr, et al. Factors associated with household transmission of SARS-CoV-2: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Aug 2;4(8):e2122240. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Do-not-resuscitate orders linked to increased death rates, study finds (26 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- DNR orders can lead to worse care & increase death rates (20 Aug. 2021) | Includes links to cited references.
COVID-19 infection rate 2.5 times higher in younger men, study shows (23 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- Fisman DN, Greer AL, Brankston G, et al. COVID-19 case age distribution: correction for differential testing by age. Ann Intern Med. 2021 Aug 17:M20-7003. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Marathon star shockingly suspended for ‘blood doping’ after Tokyo Olympics 2020 (22 Aug. 2021)
The history of transplants had many false starts (21 Aug. 2021) | Article on the book, Spare Parts: A Surprising History of Transplants, by Paul Craddock (Honorary Senior Research Associate of UCL’s Surgery Division and Science Museum Group Senior Research Associate) to be published 26 Aug. 2021.
Anticoagulation reduces risk for thrombosis, death after COVID-19 hospitalization (20 Aug. 2021) | Related (Not article in news item):
- Spyropoulos AC. The management of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Blood Adv. 2020 Aug 25;4(16):4028. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
WHO: West Africa COVID-19 deaths surge amid Ebola and other outbreaks (19 Aug. 2021)
UK: One member of British Olympic silver medallist 4x100m relay team suspended for doping violation (12 Aug. 2021) | If confirmed, all 4 team members could lose their medals.
Germany/USA: Hospitals in United States & Germany team Up with Matternet and UPS to make medical laboratory deliveries by drone the new normal (11 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- Matternet launches drone delivery operations at Labor Berlin in Germany (Press release, 17 Nov. 2020)
- Wake Forest Baptist Health, iQ Healthtech^TM Labs launch drone delivery service with UPS Flight Forward (Press release, 14 July 2020)
Monoclonal antibody prevents malaria in small NIH trial (11 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- Gaudinski MR, Berkowitz NM, Idris AH, et al.; VRC 612 Study Team. A monoclonal antibody for malaria prevention. N Engl J Med. 2021 Aug 11. Epub ahead of print.
Canada: Poorer neighbourhoods and racialized communities continue to lag behind in vaccine coverage: latest CBS results (10 Aug. 2021)
Israel: Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine offers decreased protection six months after second dose, suggests Israeli study (6 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- Ariel Israel A, Merzon E, Schäffer AA, et al. Elapsed time since BNT162b2 vaccine and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large cohort (medRxiv preprint, 5 Aug. 2021)
First-of-its-kind study published on the positive health economic impact of overcoming blood shortages to treat maternal bleeding in Sub-Saharan Africa (31 July 2021) | Related:
- Owusu-Ofori S, Sekongo YM, Rajab JA, et al. Health economic value of blood in Kenya, Ghana and Ivory Coast: The case of maternal bleeding. Africa Sanguine 2021;23(1).
Neanderthal And Denisovan African origin, Eurasian dispersal, and interbreeding with early Homo Sapiens confirmed (28 July 2021) | Related:
- Condemi S, Mazières S, Faux P, et al. Blood groups of Neandertals and Denisova decrypted. PLoS One. 2021 Jul 28;16(7):e0254175. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
Avoiding unneeded transfusions is key in patients with CAD (23 July 2021) | Related:
- Ying Q, Lv D, Fu X, et al. Resolution of serologic problems due to cold agglutinin mediated autoimmune hemolytic anemia and its transfusion decision. (Case report) J Clin Lab Anal. 2021 Jul 3:e23894. Epub ahead of print. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
Big Pharma:
- Big Pharma is deciding who lives and who dies in the global south (22 July 2021)
- Big Pharma wants a say as EU revamps industry rules (19 July 2021)
Studies elucidate poorly understood long COVID (16 July 2021) | Related/also see UK below:
- Aiyegbusi OL, Hughes SE, Grace Turner G, et al. Symptoms, complications and management of long COVID: a review. J R Soc Med.2021. Epub 15 July 2021. (Free full text)
- Davis HE, Assaf McCorkell L, et al. Characterizing long COVID in an international cohort: 7 months of symptoms and their impact. EClinicalMedicine 2021. Epub 15 July 2021. (Open access)
- Radtke T, Ulyte A, Puhan MA, Kriemler S. Long-term symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents. (Research letter) JAMA. 2021 Jul 15. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text)
Sickle cell study finds low rate of transfusion-transmitted infection screening (16 July 2021) | Related:
- Chidambaram V, Jones JM, Lokhandwala PM, et al. Low rates of transfusion-transmitted infection screening in chronically transfused adults with sickle cell disease. Transfusion. 2021 Jul 12. Epub ahead of print. (Open access) | PubMed abstract
Smartphone photos can be used to detect anemia (14 July 2021) | Related:
- Suner S, Rayner J, Ozturan IU, et al. Prediction of anemia and estimation of hemoglobin concentration using a smartphone camera. PLoS One. 2021 Jul 14;16(7):e0253495. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Europen Union: Hologic has obtained a CE Mark for the use of saliva samples with the Aptima SARS-CoV-2 assay in Europe. (14 July 2021) | Products require CE marking before they can be sold in the EU. CE marking indicates that a product has been assessed by the manufacturer and deemed to meet EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements.
Canada: Hepatitis C vaccine could be available within five years, says University of Alberta Nobel laureate, Michael Houghton* (12 July 2021) | * Michael Houghton, 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for co-discovery of HCV with Harvey J. Alter & Charles M. Rice.
Sexism in bleeding disorders: reframing the conversation (11 July 2021) | Related:
- Weyand AC, James PD. Sexism in the management of bleeding disorders. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2020 Dec 13;5(1):51-4. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
USA (AABB): Is patient blood management for the emergency department? (July 2021)
Canada: Time to end Canada's discriminatory blood ban (10 July 2021) | Six years later, Trudeau Liberals haven't made good on promise to end ban on LGBTQ+ blood donations Disclosure: The author is the first Conservative MP to be elected as openly gay.
‘Blood is life’, but why aren’t Africans donating more of it? (7 July 2021)
Canada (CBS): Laying the groundwork for a more inclusive blood system (24 June 2021) | Editor’s note: this story and the details shared are with the permission of Dr. Catherine Jenkins. Content warning: please be aware this article contains references to transphobia.
TOWAR study aims to improve mortality rates for trauma patients (22 June 2021) | Related:
- Type O Whole Blood and Assessment of Age During Prehospital Resuscitation Trial (TOWAR) (Posted 24 Dec. 2020)
BMJ Opinion: A national system of online access by patients to personal health information in Australia is proving valuable (Makeham,M:18 June 2021)
Global blood centers join hands to develop more efficient, accurate DNA-based blood typing technology (17 June 2021) | Blood transfusion Genomics Consortium member organizations
Medlab Middle East to address blood donation challenges in the wake of COVID-19 (15 June 2021)
WHO: World Blood Donor Day, 14 June
Delta variant doubles risk of COVID hospital admission: Study (14 June 2021) | Related:
- Sheikh A, McMenamin J,Taylor B, Robertson C; on behalf of Public Health Scotland and the EAVE II Collaborators. ARS-CoV-2 Delta VOC in Scotland: demographics, risk of hospital admission, and vaccine effectiveness. (Correspondence) Lancet 2021. Epub 14 June 2021. | Free full text
Irish Member of the European Parliament - Clear EU definition of plasma would pave way for better awareness (14 June 2021) | Related:
- EU’s new blood directive to address dependency on US plasma (7 May 2021)
Canada: Treatments for post-vaccine blood clots show promise but no 'slam dunk,' Canadian doctors say (9 June 2021) | Related:
- Bourguignon A, Arnold DM, Warkentin TE, et al. Adjunct immune globulin for vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jun 9. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
European Blood Alliance position statement to policy makers in European Union to adopt EU legislation on blood/blood components re-voluntary plasma donation (April 2021)
Nurse-led home blood transfusions highlight new trend in healthcare (9 June 2021) | Related:
- Sharp R, Turner L, Altschwager J, Corsini N, Esterman A. Adverse events associated with home blood transfusion: A retrospective cohort study. J Clin Nurs. 2021 Jun;30(11-12):1751-9. Epub 2021 Mar 17.
SARA, the rarest blood group in the world (5 June 2021)
WHO renames UK and other variants with Greek letters (31 May 2021)
New test accurately distinguishes between bacterial and viral infections (31 May 2021) | Related:
- Testing tool can quickly distinguish between viral and bacterial infections (Duke University press release, 4 May 2021)
- Tsalik EL, Henao R, Montgomery JL, et al; Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group. Discriminating bacterial and viral infection using a rapid host gene expression test. Crit Care Med. 2021 Apr 28. Epub ahead of print.
Three strategies to make labs more sustainable (Lab Manager, 26 May 2021)
Labs worldwide still struggling amid broken supply chains (21 May 2021)
USA: Hospital-based clinical laboratory scientist sues former employer after being fired due to long-haul COVID-19 illness (5 May 2021) | Related
- Superior Court of California, County of Fresno: Kathleen Hamada vs Community Hospitals of Central California | Download the law suit here
UK: Government launches world-first COVID-19 vaccine booster study launches in UK (Press release, 19 May 2021)
USA: FDA advises against use of SARS-CoV-2 antibody test results to evaluate immunity or protection from COVID-19, including after vaccination (19 May 2021)
AABB to honor 2020 Nobel Laureate Harvey Alter for contributions to discovery of HCV on World Blood Donor Day, 14 June (18 May 2021)
Blood money (NPR in USA ,14 May 2021) | Includes audio (25 min.) and full transcript, including participation by Canadian Blood Services CEO, Dr. Graham Sher. | Related:
- Introduction to Blood Money (From NPR's Planet Money podcasts)
Terumo donates additional $1 Million USD to support the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO (Press release, 14 May 2021)
Perspectives on thalassemia:
- Bangladesh: Thalassaemia must be prevented (9 May 2021)
- India (World Thalassemia Day 2021): Can you receive blood transfusion immediately after Covid-19 vaccination? (8 May 2021)
- Pakistan: World Thalassaemia Day (9 May 2021)
Industry news: CSL forced to offer more cash to US plasma donors (5 May 2021) | Instead of usual $20-$50 USD/donation, first time plasma donors offered between $825-$1100 USD for first eight donations then less/donation thereafter depending on the location & its need.
How to become a lab planner (28 Apr. 2021)
Study of 5 million Swedes finds links between blood groups and disease risks (27 Apr. 2021) | Related:
- Dahlén T, Clements M, Zhao J, et al. An agnostic study of associations between ABO and RhD blood group and phenome-wide disease risk. Elife. 2021 Apr 27;10:e65658. Epub ahead of print. [Free full text online soon at Elife.]
Study: COVID-19-infected pregnant women at higher risk for complications (22 Apr. 2021) | Related:
- Ellington S, Strid P, Tong VT, et al. Characteristics of women of reproductive age with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by pregnancy status - United States, January 22-June 7, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 Jun 26;69(25):769-75. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
- Shimabukuro TT, Kim SY, Myers TR, et al.; CDC v-safe COVID-19 Pregnancy Registry Team. Preliminary findings of mRNA Covid-19 vaccine safety in pregnant persons. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jun 17;384(24):2273-82. Epub 2021 Apr 21. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
- Villar J, Ariff S, Gunier RB, et al. Maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality among pregnant women with and without COVID-19 Infection: The INTERCOVID Multinational Cohort Study. JAMA Pediatr. 2021 Aug 1;175(8):817-26. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
- Woodworth KR, Olsen EO, Neelam V,et al; CDC COVID-19 Response Pregnancy and Infant Linked Outcomes Team; COVID-19 Pregnancy and Infant Linked Outcomes Team (PILOT). Birth and infant outcomes following laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy - SET-NET, 16 Jurisdictions, March 29-October 14, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 Nov 6;69(44):1635-40. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Big Pharma and COVID-19: The Covid vaccine will benefit humanity – we should all own the patent (Nov. 2020, oped) | Related:
- Big Pharma model is serious obstacle to wiping out Covid-19, new report suggests (18 Dec. 2020)
Malaria vaccine hailed as potential breakthrough (23 Apr. 2021) | Related:
- Datoo MS,Natama HM,Somé A, et al. High efficacy of a low dose candidate malaria vaccine, R21 in adjuvant Matrix-M™, with seasonal administration to children in Burkina Faso. The Lancet. Unreviewed preprint, Epub 20 Apr. 2021.
USA preparing for COVID-19 booster shots, as Pfizer chief says 3rd dose 'likely' needed (16 Apr. 2021)
We must redesign the WHO’s building blocks to create more resilient health systems for the future (BMJ blog, 14 Apr. 2021)
WHO calls for comprehensive, equitable access to healthcare for every Chagas disease patient (14 Apr. 2021)
American Academy of Family Physicians: Research examines inclusion of minorities in vaccine trials (13 Apr. 2021)
AABB: Blood belongs in the patient, not in a tube (April PBM column)
How will clinical laboratories collect samples if telehealth replaces traditional doctor’s office visits? (9 Apr. 2021) | Related:
- Mehrotra A, Bhatia RS, Snoswell CL. Paying for telemedicine after the pandemic. JAMA. 2021 Feb 2;325(5):431-2. (Editorial)
Autoantibodies may contribute to severe COVID-19 and potential long-COVID-19 symptoms (8 Apr. 2021)
USA: NIH begins study of allergic reactions to Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines (7 Apr. 2021)
Covid vaccine manufacturers should work with poorer countries, says WTO chief (1 Apr. 2021)
Many recovering COVID patients show signs of long-term organ damage (1 Apr. 2021) | Related:
- Ayoubkhani D, Khunti K, Nafilyan V, et al. Post-covid syndrome in individuals admitted to hospital with covid-19: retrospective cohort study. BMJ. 2021 Mar 31;372:n693. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Treatment patterns for postpartum hemorrhage examined (28 Mar. 2021) | Related:
- Society of Interventional Radiology press release: Hysterectomy used more for postpartum bleeding compared to less invasive option (16 Mar. 2021)
Invitation for ISBT members with experience in a specific topic to join one of its Working Parties
How accurate are commercial rapid COVID-19 tests? (25 Mar. 2021) | Related:
- Dinnes J, Deeks JJ, Adriano A, et al; Cochrane COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Accuracy Group. Rapid, point-of-care antigen and molecular-based tests for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Aug 26;8:CD013705. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Mar 24;3:CD013705. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
USA: Predicting ‘long COVID syndrome’ with help of a smartphone app [NIH Director's Blog] (23 Mar. 2021) | Related:
- Sudre CH, Murray B, Varsavsky T, et al. Attributes and predictors of long COVID. Nat Med. 2021 Mar 10. Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Canada: Clinical laboratory scientist in British Columbia gets recognition for identifying the province’s first case of COVID-19 (22 Mar. 2021) | Related:
- USA (ASCP): Laboratories on the front lines: battling COVID-19 (5-part docuseries interviewing medical lab professionals, 2020)
During pandemic, clinical laboratories should be alert for drug resistant infections that pose high risk to COVID-19 patients (10 Mar. 2021)
Blood plasma transfusions are useless in hospitalized covid patients (10 Mar. 2021)
Canada: Made-in-Alberta COVID-19 vaccine candidate headed for clinical trials (9 Mar. 2021) | Entos Pharmaceuticals
Rh-positive blood a viable alternative to Rh-negative for transfusion in trauma patients (8 Mar. 2021) | Virtual EAST Scientific Assembly, Jan. 13-14, 2021 [Search for McCoy]
US halts trials of convalescent plasma transfusions for COVID patients (3 Mar. 2021)
New WHO report on Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 highlights strategies for its prevention and control (3 Mar. 2021)
Should the United States keep screening all blood donations for Zika? (2 Mar. 2021) | Related:
- Russell WA. Estimating the effect of discontinuing universal screening of donated blood for ika virus in the 50 U.S. States. (Letter) Ann Intern Med. 2021 Feb 16. Epub ahead of print.
Canada: AstraZeneca COVID vaccine not recommended for seniors, advisory committee says, amid global debate (1 Mar. 2021)
Canada (CBS Communications):
- Understanding the politics of clinical trials in a pandemic (25 Feb. 2021)
- How stem cell transplants continued through a COVID-19-related shutdown (25 Feb. 2021)
- Exploring the mysteries of ‘a beautiful system’ (22 Feb. 2021)
FDA Analysis shows one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is effective against severe covid-19 (24 Feb. 2021) | Related:
- FDA Briefing Document: Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting (26 Feb. 2021) (62 pp. pdf)
WHO alerts six African countries after Ebola outbreaks (16 Feb. 2021)
In Memoriam: Margaret Treacy (16 Feb. 2021)
New research on Zika virus touts promising vaccine candidate (16 Feb. 2021)
Canada: Pay-for-plasma collection coming to Alberta by end of the year (14 Feb. 2021)
A few Covid-19 vaccine recipients show rare blood disorders (9 Feb. 2021)
Vaccines versus the mutants (8 Feb. 2021) | Related:
- A guide to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants (26 Jan. 2021)
Periodontitis increases risk of bacteria in donor blood (5 Feb. 2021)
UK Biobank study shows that COVID-19 antibodies remain for at least 6 months for most people (3 Feb. 2021)
Canada: Nova Scotia becomes first jurisdiction in NA to switch from opt-in organ donation system to opt-out (presumed consent system) (18 Jan. 2021)
Canada (CBS Research): Breaking barriers to effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (12 Jan. 2021)
- Dubey S, Heinen S, Krantic S, et al. Clinically approved IVIg delivered to the hippocampus with focused ultrasound promotes neurogenesis in a model of Alzheimer's disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Dec 22;117(51):32691-32700. Epub 2020 Dec 7.
Rapid antigen testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection found to have limited accuracy for a pediatric cohort (26 Jan. 2021)
- Villaverde S, Domínguez-Rodríguez S, Sabrido G, et al.; EPICO-AEP Working Group. Diagnostic accuracy of the Panbio SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test compared with Rt-Pcr testing of nasopharyngeal samples in the pediatric population. J Pediatr. 2021 Jan 20:S0022-3476(21)00034-2.Epub ahead of print. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
Coveted blue horseshoe crab blood is keeping COVID-19 vaccinations free of deadly endotoxins, but demand for this blood could have implications for supply of certain clinical laboratory tests (25 Jan. 2021)
USA: University of Vermont microbiology laboratory identifies inefficiencies when performing pooled testing for COVID-19 (8 Jan. 2021)
Operation Aderlass doctor Mark Schmidt jailed for almost five years (15 Jan. 2021)
Report finds low adverse event rate from COVID-19 vaccine (8 Jan. 2021)
- CDC COVID-19 Response Team; Food and Drug Administration. Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis after receipt of the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine — United States, December 14–23, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 6 January 2021. (Free full text)
ForaCare Suisse AG introduces Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Test (8 Jan. 2021)
Operation Aderlass, Operacion Puerto approach closure with two different outcomes (8 Jan. 2021)
Pig saved by transfusion from fellow pig after ingesting rat poison (6 Jan. 2021) | Feel good news item to make you smile
Industry news: Platelet-rich plasma market to expand at a CAGR of 11.4% from 2019 to 2027 (1 Jan. 2021)

International

Brazil

Burundi

Giving blood in solidarity with Burundi, “a collective responsibility” (26 June 2022)

Cambodia

Banking sector, UYFC team up for blood drive (14 May 2022)
SOS out for blood donors as centre needs 110,000 units of blood (3 Mar. 2022)
‘Blood slave’ kidnapped by Chinese crime gang in Cambodia drained for months and threatened with organ harvesting (17 Feb. 2022)
Blood donors must wait 14-28 days after getting second dose of COVID-19 vaccine (17 Mar. 2021)

Cameroon

UN supports blood transfusion in Cameroon (15 June 2022)

Cayman Islands

Booster shot access expands as COVID cases mount (20 Oct. 2021)

China/Hong Kong

Hong Kong: Donate blood during public holidays: Red Cross (18 Sept. 2021)
Hong Kong: Blood bank makes urgent appeal as supplies dry up due to COVID-19 (9 Feb. 2021)
Hong Kong: Blood donors see red over policy hiccup (29 Jan. 2021)
Hong Kong: Urgent call for blood donors from black community and people of African descent for sickle cell patient with rare blood group (28 Jan. 2021)

Croatia

Split to get €7.2m regional blood transfusion centre (7 Jan. 2022)

Cyprus

Famagusta kidney patients threaten to refuse transfusions over poor state of hospital ward (29 Mar. 2021)

Democratic Republic of Congo

Fresh Ebola outbreak in DRC likely to spread to neighboring countries: WHO (30 Apr. 2022)
Ebola vaccination campaign begins in Congo after virus resurfaces (14 Oct. 2021)

Denmark

Nation reports rise in syphilis despite COVID-19 restrictions (13 Feb. 2022)

Egypt

Plasma donation centers receive 4,400 donors since mid-July: Health minister (27 Sept. 2021)
Health Minister announces launch of blood plasma donation project for medicine production (14 July 2021)

France

British people can give blood in France - just not for transfusions (16 Mar. 2022)
Industry news: Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson sketches a $1B-plus investment on its new mRNA center (8 Mar. 2022)
Industry news: Sanofi has designs on creating Big Pharma's 'strongest' immunology franchise, CFO says (11 Jan. 2022)

Gambia

Ministry Of Health disagrees with social media report indicating shortage of blood bags in health facilities (21 Feb. 2022)

Germany

German Red Cross urgently calls for blood donation in Berlin (5 June 2022)

Ghana

Let’s save lives by donating blood–National Blood Service (19 June 2022)
Calvary Charismatic Center donates over 2000 pints of blood to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (6 June 2022)
‘Allow my foot to rot’ blood transfusion war between patients and health workers in Ghana (1 Apr. 2022)
Greater Accra Regional Hospital and the Princess Marie Louise Hospital receive 69 pints of blood from the Korean Foundation for International Healthcare (26 Feb. 2022)
Save lives by frequently donating blood; Jumia Ghana calls on Ghanaians (27 Sept. 2021)
Selfless paramedic goes extra mile to save woman's life after ambulance breaks down on bad road (26 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- Paramedic who went the extra mile to save patient’s life promoted (30 Aug. 2021)
Laboratory scientists strike - Relatives of patient in dire need of blood left frustrated (28 May 2021)
Medical negligence: The perspective of doctors and hospital administrators (27 May 2021)
Depleted blood banks: A critical impact of Covid-19 restrictions (17 Feb. 2021)

Gibralter

Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) uses cell saver machine successfully during surgery for first time (18 Sept. 2021)

Greece

Greece removes ban on queer men donating blood(12 Jan. 2022)

Guinea

Probable case of ebola-like marburg virus identified in Guinea (6 Aug. 2021) | Related item by Reuters

Guyana

Costly hepatitis C treatment could soon be free in Guyana–Health Minister (18 June 2022)

Honduras

U.S. military, Honduran Red Cross save lives through local blood drives (16 May 2022)

Hungary

Hungary sending blood transfusion bags to Ukraine (11 Mar. 2022)

Iceland

Iceland to end indefinite donor deferral of gay, bisexual men replaced by 4-month deferral for all donors who engaged in “risky sex" (via AABB, 14 Sept. 2021)

India

14,000 employees participate in blood donation camp by Adani Foundation (26 June 2022) | Every year, on the Chairman’s birthday, the Adani Foundation organises a voluntary blood donation drive in line with the Adani Group’s philosophy of serving the nation and its people in multiple ways.
No meds to raise platelet count after dengue fever, warn docs (23 June 2022)
Nashik-based blood bank felicitated (19 June 2022)
3-month-old leopard cub receives blood transfusion at RESQ (16 June 2022)
India's COVID-19 tally crosses 8k mark for second consecutive day; 8,582 fresh infections reported (11 June 2022)
In Pune, a call for better blood screening standards to reduce infections through transfusions (10 June 2022)
This Mumbai-based organisation's noble initiative brings ease to cancer patients, creates blood donation database (9 June 2022)
Kasturba Hospital Blood Centre receives award ISBT Award for developing country (8 June 2022)
Union Health Ministry engages with all states/UTs to review the preparation of World Blood Donor Day on 14th June (7 June 2022)
Wrong blood transfusion resulting in death, a case of medical negligence; NCDRC (6 June 2022)
Centre calls on all health centres to set up blood testing camps on World Blood Donor Day (6 June 2022)
Transfusion of wrong blood kills 2 in Keonjhar, probe ordered (31 May 2022)
Uttar Pradesh health worker took bribe for blood transfusion, then gave patient glucose mixed with red medicine (30 May 2022)
4 children become HIV positive after blood transfusion In Nagpur, 1 dies (26 May 2022) | Related:
- Nagpur: Food and Drugs Administration begins probe into HIV through blood transfusion (27 May 2022)
MS Education Academy offers free education to thalassemia students in Telangana (25 May 2022)
Team effort helps patient with rare rare Bombay blood type (11 May 2022)
Telangana governor lauds Red Cross Society (9 May 2022)
Experts see blood stem cell transplant as a curative treatment for thalassemia (9 May 2022)
9-yr-old Rohtak child gets new lease of life (7 May 2022)
Hospital ordered to compensate for patient’s death (7 May 2022)
Blood stem cell transplantation shows 90% success rate in thalassemia patients who have HLA matched stem cell donors (5 May 2022)
Impact of pandemic and way forward for thalassemia patients in India (4 May 2022)
NGOs call on govt to adopt new WHO guidelines for management of cryptococcal meningitis (4 May 2022) | related:
- New guidelines from WHO recommend a simpler, safer treatment for cryptococcal disease in people living with HIV (20 Apr. 2022)
Sickle cell disease afflicts 872 children in Balaghat area (26 Apr. 2022)
HIV+ blood transfusion: Bathinda police book 2 lab technicians after VB probe (22 Apr. 2022)
The model donor:55-yr-old becomes one of the few women to have donated over 100 units of blood (12 Apr. 2022)
Botched transfusion killed 45-year-old in Ahmedabad: Kin (8 Apr. 2022)
HIV+ blood transfusion in Bathinda: 3 months on, VB probe report gathers dust (25 Mar. 2022)
Only the 4th hospital in Nagaland to have a functional blood centre (19 Mar. 2022)
Maharashtra: New RT-PCR kit out to check donated blood for infections (15 Mar. 2022)
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT ISM) students chip in to end blood crisis in Dhanbad (27 Feb. 2022)
14 yrs, 400 blood transfusions later, 75-yr-old gets new life (24 Feb. 2022)
3rd wave impact: Blood transfusions hit hard (10 Feb. 2022)
Covid-19 effect: Govt Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, faces blood shortage (29 Jan. 2022)
Mumbai: Blood banks to reserve blood units for patient with blood disorders (21 Jan. 2022)
Mancherial doctor, teachers collect 53 units of blood for thalassemia patients (16 Jan. 2022)
Blood banks in Mumbai on alert, will start camps in housing societies (9 Jan. 2022)
Double-lung transplant conducted without ECMO, on beating heart, without a single blood transfusion (6 Jan. 2022)
Mumbai: Six-fold jump in city dengue cases this year (24 Dec. 2021)
Who will apologise for plasma therapy? It was a disaster for Covid-19, govt hospitals knew (9 Dec. 2021)
Punjab health dept told to pay 5 lakh for hepatitis C infected blood infusion (5 Dec. 2021) | 5 lahk is ~$6600 USD
HIV blood transfused to pregnant woman; Bihar sacks lab tech for clearing infected blood sample (29 Nov. 2021)
Mumbai: Tata Memorial Centre to help 50,000 cancer patients annually with blood transfusion by performing NAT testing of donated blood (26 Nov. 2021)
Jharkhand News digest: Dalotganj blood bank in shambles (25 Nov. 2021)
Odisha woman dies after transfusion of wrong group blood at Rourkela Govt Hospital (12 Nov. 2021)
Granulocytes transfusion: New treatment option at Post Graduate Institute of Child Health (PGICH) in Noida (9 Nov. 2021)
Doctors transfuse blood in unborn anaemic twins, one survives (31 Oct. 2021)
Six blood transfusions to foetus in Kolkata hospital (28 Oct. 2021)
Demand for platelets up 75% with rising dengue cases in Lucknow (24 Oct. 2021)
Chandigarh has many firsts, the concept of 100 per cent voluntary blood donation being one of them. (23 Oct. 2021)
Bandipora blood bank in Kashmir to be functional soon (9 Oct. 2021)
Indore: Dengue scare as 16 more fall prey and demand for blood platelet doubles in one month (8 Oct. 2021)
Blood donation in pets (8 Oct. 2021) | Myths about blood donation in pets.
Lucknow’s KGMU first medical institute in India to have pathogen reduction technology (2 Oct. 2021)
Importance of voluntary blood donation (Editorial) (30 Sept. 2021)
2 found with Para Bombay in Nagpur; only 4 in 1 million have this rarest of blood groups (24 Sept. 2021)
Dog blood transfusion training held at Ludhiana vet university (21 Sept. 2021)
Dengue surge: overuse of platelets will hurt, say docs (14 Sept. 2021)
Complaints against private hospitals for dengue treatment (13 Sept. 2021)
Men have higher antibodies post-vaccination: King George’s Medical University's study (8 Sept. 2021)
Prisoners’ organs remain taboo despite Kerala HC ruling (5 Sept. 2021)
Maha: 8-month-old girl infected by HIV after receiving blood; probe ordered (2 Sept. 2021)
Blood transfusion in Bathinda: Victim’s spouse, 3-year-old daughter HIV+ve (28 Aug. 2021)
Noida hospital finds blood match for baby needing transfusion (21 Aug. 2021)
How a youth-led organisation has saved 20,000 lives in Hyderabad via blood donations (14 Aug. 2021)
Nearly 300 minors tested positive for Covid-19 in 6 days in Bengaluru (12 Aug. 2021) | 127 children below 10 & 174 between 10 & 19 tested positive for between August 5 and 10.
Chennai man walks out of hospital with five kidneys after third transplant surgery turns successful (11 Aug. 2021)
Beyond Delta, scientists are watching new coronavirus variants (8 Aug. 2021)
Dengue, viral fever cases rise in Hyderabad (5 Aug. 2021)
State Vigilance Bureau examined two sacked medical laboratory technicians, suspects in the 2020 HIV+ blood transfusion case (3 Aug. 2021)
Government Hospitals to get oxygen generators shortly (28 July 2021)
Antibodies against COVID-19 seen in 90% of healthcare workers of King George's Medical University (27 July 2021) | Related:
- KGMU study shows antibodies after first shot equal to natural ones post Covid infection (27 July 2021)
Liver transplant performed with no blood transfusion at Kamineni Hospitals (19 July 2021)
Veterinarians create history with canine blood transfusion (17 July 2021)
Blood transfusion from one langur saves life of another (13 July 2021) | Langurs are long-tailed arboreal Asian monkeys.
Patient’s kin allege hospital gave wrong blood, move High Court for retaining records, CCTV footage (5 July 2021)
Hospital to pay Rs 5 lakh and Rs5,000 litigation costs for negligence causing death due to faulty storage of blood (5 July 2021)
High Court directs State to pay compensation to family of a woman who died due to postpartum haemorrhage in 2012 (1 July 2021)
With blood donation, Kanpur cops rush to aid of thalassemia patients affected by pandemic (20 June 2021)
Life comes to standstill for a family of HIV positive during COVID pandemic (13 June 2021)
It’s a match! Techie saves cancer patient by donating stem cells (13 June 2021)
Blood Bank at Siliguri hospital runs dry due to COVID-19 (7 June 2021)
Jharkhand man pedals 400km to get blood for his thalassemic son (1 June 2021)
Thalassemia patients, blood donors stopped by police in Hyderabad (23 May 2021)
Man in Dehradun duped of his money while trying to seek plasma for his Covid-positive mother (15 May 2021)
New guideline for blood donation after vaccination (8 May 2021)
Donate blood before getting vaccinated, doc tells Hoshiarpur youth (28 Apr. 2021) | More than 70% of the blood in blood centres comes from people between 18 and 45 .
Shortage of blood expected; plan to overcome crisis mooted (27 Apr. 2021) | Doctor: In the US there is no deferral for blood transfusion after vaccination; in Canada, it is just 7 days; don't understand why the NBTC has come up with 28 days deferral.
Vaccination for all adults may cause blood shortage (23 Apr. 2021)
PCMC to give free plasma bags to pvt hospitals, offers Rs 2,000 to encourage donations (17 Apr. 2021) | 2000 Rupees to donors = ~$26 USD; 6000 Rupees /plasma bag=~$80 USD
Wrong blood transfusion case: NHRC notice to state, seeks reply in 6 weeks (17 Apr. 2021)
Kolkata - Planned surgeries put on hold as blood banks run dry (17 Apr. 2021)
Bengaluru - Blood banks fret as donor numbers fall due to COVID-19 (4 Apr. 2021)
Maharashtra again grapples with severe blood shortage (2 Apr. 2021)
PCMC caps rates for blood plasma (13 Mar. 2021)
Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital first in Odisha to install ID-NAT machine (12 Mar. 2021)
WHO - JSSAHER collaborate to strengthen pharma capacity in challenging times (9 Mar. 2021)
Blood bank staff to deliver blood bags at patient’s bed in attempt to eliminate middlemen who sell blood (5 Mar. 2021)
12-yr-old child dies ‘for want of blood’ at RIMS (21 Feb. 2021)
Patients suffer as blood component separator lies unused in Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima (17 Feb. 2021)
Blood banks seek appointment of non-allopathy docs (17 Feb. 2021) | What non-allopathic means? Alternative medicine like homeopathy, which is popular in India.
Preventing wastage of donors' blood (7 Feb. 2021) | 2.8 million units of blood and its components were discarded by blood banks across India between 2012 and 2016.
Blood donor survey: 50% in Indore have Covid antibodies (6 Feb. 2021)
'Glaring gaps in Himachal Pradesh blood banking mechanism' (31 Jan. 2021)
National Aids Control Organization revealed 2,234 persons got transfusion-transmitted HIV infection between Oct. 2014 and Mar. 2016 (27 Jan. 2021)
MGM Medical College, Indore, to begin NAT testing to detect hepatitis, HIV (9 Jan. 2021)
"I am too poor to afford my daughter’s bone marrow transplant" Please help (9 Jan. 2021)

Indonesia

PMI prepares gifts to garner blood donors' interest during Ramadan (15 Apr. 2022)
Indonesian Red Cross Society & Catchplay movie channel team up for humanitarian cause during Ramadan (13 Apr. 2021) | Every blood donor including regular and convalescent plasma donation will get one free 30-day Catchplay+ subscription.
Hunting for blood (14 Jan. 2021) | Ongoing shortages due to pandemic

Iran

WHO, IBTO discuss fields of joint cooperation (20 Apr. 2022)
Blood Transfusion Organization selected as WHO partner (8 Aug. 2021)
Half a million Iranians donate blood in 3 months (2 July 2021)

Ireland

Library resource (HSE): Blood transfusion leaflets (In 7 languages)
Urgent appeal for blood donations as supplies run low (27 June 2022)
New research to help address blood shortages in Ireland (17 June 2022) | Related:
- Fogarty H, Sardana M, Sheridan L, et al. Motivators and barriers to blood donation among potential donors of African and Caucasian ethnicity. Blood Transfus 2022. Epub 12 June, 2022. (Free access)
Irish hospitals warned of serious challenges to blood stocks (7 Apr. 2022)
Nation reduces deferral period for MSM, donors taking PrEP (6 Apr. 2022)
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service says its ‘closer than ever’ to declaring amber alert amid critical shortage of blood supplies (17 Mar. 2022)
Irish blood donation bags and masks on way to Ukraine (11 Mar. 2022)
IBTS’s National Donor Screening laboratory is the first medical science laboratory to achieve ‘Green’ certification status (25 Feb. 2022)
Baby died ‘gasping for breath’ over 13 hours after doctors withdrew care, court hears (26 Jan. 2022) | Lawyer said 'the expert evidence makes clear the baby was born with a “very significant” loss of blood and that a blood transfusion should have taken place within a few minutes of his birth.
Drop in blood donations may mean supplies will soon need to be imported (12 Jan. 2022)
National canine blood bank should also be set up in Ireland, top animal hospital says (2 Jan. 2022)
Easing of blood donation restrictions on gay and bisexual men to be introduced in March (22 Dec. 2021)
Republic of Ireland to import blood stocks from the NHS again (22 Dec. 2021)
‘The reward is seeing how important the process of blood donation is’ (9 Dec. 2021) | Interview with Dr. Allison Waters, research and development lead facilitator at IBTS.
Blood transfusion service seeks donations as Covid hits attendance (26 Oct. 2021)
Supplies of blood ‘fell so low in summer’, there were fears for hospital operations (26 Sept. 2021)
Boy living off cow’s milk required emergency transfusions in hospital, court hears (22 July 2021) | Related:
- Mother of hospitalised boy who lived off cow’s milk says she feared husband (28 July 2021)
Woman who is too short to donate blood says rules are ‘unfair’ (2 July 2021)
Call for State to follow UK move and end ‘discriminatory’ approach to gay, bisexual blood donors (24 June 2021)
Cork University Hospital patient praises staff for saving his life after HSE cyberattack threatened treatment (31 May 2021)

Israel

New shielded MDA Blood Services Center 1st of its kind worldwide (2 May 2022) | The facility was built at a cost of $135 million, funded primarily by American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA).
Amid backlash from Haredim, blood bank eyes axing gender-neutral wording (17 Nov. 2021)

Italy

A two-year-old is waiting for surgery. Parents did not agree to blood transfusions from those who were vaccinated (11 Feb. 2022)
US film-maker tried in Italy on fascist-era charge over tainted blood testimony (20 Jan. 2022)
Women refuse transfusion from vaccinated for dad, 92 (24 Aug. 2021)

Ivory Coast

Ebola vaccinations increase after second case (18 Aug. 2021)

Jamaica

Blood transfusion service issues call for blood donors (10 June 2022)
Optimist Club hosts blood drive in Negril (19 Feb. 2022) | It's needed because of high incidents of crime,violence, and accidents.
COVID-19 cluster at National Blood Bank Services (6 Feb. 2021)

Japan

Japan pharma cranks up output of COVID vaccine materials (5 May 2022)
Red Cross uses 'Demon Slayer' posters to encourage blood donations (10 July 2021)

Kenya

Kenyans to be paid-in-kind for donating blood (16 June 2022)
National Blood Transfusion Service installs system to stop blood theft (21 Feb. 2022)
Kericho launches blood transfusion ambulance (30 Jan. 2022)
Nyanza blood bank experiences shortage over unpaid bills (18 Nov. 2021) | Power was disconnected last Friday, donors protest
Let's focus on improving blood transfusion services (12 July 2021)
Students urged to make blood donation a norm (4 July 2021)
Ministry embarks on expanding blood cold chain capacity (4 July 2021)
Laikipia county sacks two nurses who attended party while woman died (5 June 2021)
Looming crisis as blood shortage hits Bungoma (15 Apr. 2021)
Meru sets Up 1,000-unit blood bank at referral hospital (17 Feb. 2021)
Blood transfusion agency records low donor turnout despite Valentine’s campaign (13 Feb. 2021)
Government plans to convert KNTBS into a parastatal to improve efficiency and management of blood (10 Feb. 2021)

Kuwait

Indians and Egyptians involved in blood test fraud (19 Feb. 2022)
Health Ministry launches blood donation campaign (31 July 2021)

Latvia

Founded in 1941, blood service marks 80 years of blood donation services (18 Mar. 2021)

Luxembourg

The importance of animal blood donors (14 Feb. 2021) | Luxembourg has no animal blood banks.

Malawi

CDH Investment Bank invests K2m towards procurement of blood bank fridge for MBTS (26 Apr. 2022)
Illovo Sugar donates K13.1 million blood bank fridge to Lower Shire districts (4 Mar. 2022) | 13.1 million K equals $15,974.10 USD

Malaysia

Sarawak party leader urges authorities to address public fears on contracting Covid-19 through blood transfusions (29 Aug. 2021)
Blood supply in Kedah critical likely due to increase in COVID-19 cases (8 Aug. 2021)
Blood supply in Kedah critical, only three days’ worth left, says state transfusion services chief (27 May 2021)
Mother appeals for ‘O+ R1R1 JKA’ blood for thalassemic boy (25 Feb. 2021) | Assume it might be Jk(b-) blood?
Terengganu hospital calls on blood donors as supply runs out (23 Jan. 2021)
Thalassaemia patients in Sabah risk death if blood supply remains low (22 Jan. 2021)

Malta

Over 1,600 people in Gozo register to donate blood (20 June 2021)
A blood transfusion saved Luigi's life. Now he's paying it forward (14 June 2022)

Mauritius

Mega blood donation in Port-Louis to help increase blood bank's supplies (Govt. press release, 12 Aug. 2021)

Mexico

Andrés García needs a blood transfusion for this reason (20 Jan. 2022)

Morocco

Agadir experiencing acute blood shortage (8 Aug. 2021)

Namibia

'New normal' disrupts blood supply due to COVID-19 (9 Sept. 2021)
Blood stocks low due to COVID-19 restrictions (14 Jan. 2021)

Nepal

Blood transfusion turns costlier as govt ups the per-unit cost (5 June 2022) | 810-1640 Nerpalese rupees is $6.44-$13.04 USD;average salary in Nepal is $644 USD/mth.
Rukum (West) residents demand blood transfusion centres (19 Dec. 2021)
High-tech blood transfusion center to be built in Pokhara (12 Jan. 2021)

Nigeria

Blood transfusion: Donors, recipients protected by law Commission (29 June 2022)
Addressing acute blood shortage in Nigeria (23 June 2022)
Blood transfusion turns costlier as govt ups the per-unit cost (5 June 2022) | 810-1640 Nerpalese rupees is $6.44-$13.04 USD;average salary in Nepal is $644 USD/mth.
Automation of blood transfusion process to start soon (18 May 2022)
Lagos govt partners civil society to advocate increase in blood donation (15 May 2022)
Lack of blood donors, funds make transfusion difficult - Expert (15 May 2022)
Embrace voluntary blood donation, Lagos govt urges citizens (12 May 2022)
Lions Club partners Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service on annual target for blood donation (26 Mar. 2022)
Sylvester Oromoni: Pathologist who conducted first autopsy testifies (14 Mar. 2022)
Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service tasks blood logistics firms on quality service (13 Mar. 2022)
Improved working conditions, not bond signing, will solve medical brain drain – Prof Kuliya-Gwarzo, past president, Nigerian Society of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (28 Nov. 2021)
How 58-year-old victim of robbery died in top hospital due to empty blood bank (6 Oct. 2021)
Young Nigerian lady living with sickle cell cries out for help as she needs N1m for leg ulcer treatment (29 Sept. 2021) | 1 million Nigerian Naira = $2,428.62 USD
Federal government converts National Blood Service to commission (25 Sept. 2021)
Building a safe blood bank is crucial for emergency health services (23 June 2021)
Lagos tasks health professionals on safe blood transfusion practices (18 Apr. 2021)
Man in court for allegedly stealing items worth N8m from Blood Transfusion Service (5 Feb. 2021) | 8 million Nigerian Nair = $2,079,900 USD

Norway

Norway to assess changes to donor eligibility for MSM (31 May 2022)

Oman

Call for blood donation as donor numbers fall (5 Apr. 2022)

Pakistan

Blood transfusion centre approved at cost of Rs 80 million (26 June 2022) | 80 million Pakistan rupies is $384,259 USD
Fatimid Center being established in DI Khan in collaboration with OGDCL (7 May 2022) | The Fatimid Foundation manages the largest blood bank & transfusion services in Pakistan and provides free of charge transfusion to its 14000+ registered underprivileged patients of thalassemia, hemophilia and other genetic blood disorder patients across the country.
‘Better health care increasing life expectancy of kids with thalassaemia’ (25 Apr. 2022)
Safe blood transfusion (21 Apr. 2022) | Related: See 5 Apr. below
Unsafe blood transfusion spreading hepatitis, HIV in haemophilia patients (18 Apr. 2022)
Govt urged to allocate funds for haemophilia patients in budget (17 Apr. 2022)
Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority, bleeding disorder community celebrate World Hemophilia Day (16 Apr. 2022)
Expert urges public to donate blood for 'thalassemia' patients during Ramazan/ Ramadan (16 Apr. 2022)
Safe blood transfusion (5 Apr. 2022) | Prevalence of unsafe medical practices has been a long-standing problem in Pakistan...The authorities need to wake up to the high human, financial, social and emotional cost of the absence of regulation of the health sector where unsafe medical practices proliferate.
Health dept’s blood collection initiative focusing on students (27 Feb. 2022)
Abandoned again (27 Feb. 2022) | Fifty years since the fall of Dhaka, the Bihari community continues to suffer systemic discrimination.
Peshawar High Court orders blood transfusion of child suffering from rare disease (17 Feb. 2022)
Sundas Foundation plans to set up hospital (31 Jan. 2022)
5.28% of blood donors in Sindh infected with HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases (8 Oct. 2021)
Provincial Minister for Health and Population directs the Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority to strictly implement the screening system for safe blood transfusion across the province (7 Oct. 2021)
Health Minister Yasmin vows to revamp blood transfusion services says Punjab envisions sustainability of Sehat Sahulat Card Program (5 Oct. 2021)
As multiple diseases spread, experts warn against polypharmacy (4 Oct. 2021)
Critical shortage in blood donations due to Covid-19: Pakistan Red Crescent Society (7 Aug. 2021)
Inquiry report into patient death fixes responsibility on hospital staff (paramedical staff and doctors) (2 Aug. 2021)
Corruption won’t be tolerated at any level, says Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid (31 July 2021)
KfW ensuring safe blood transfusion across country: Dr Masuma (30 Apr. 2021)
Capital City Police Officer Lahore visited Sundas Foundation Headquarters to inspect blood transfusion, medical treatment given to thalassemia and hemophilia affected children (20 Feb. 2021)
Three new blood banks to be established in Punjab: Health Minister (17 Feb. 2021) | Related:
- Yasmin Rashid says action being taken against unregistered blood banks (17 Feb. 2021)
'Ban Chughtai Lab' trends on Twitter after allegedly wrong report leads to woman’s kidney failure (16 Feb. 2021)
Red Crescent Society organises donation camp to address serious blood shortage due to coronavirus pandemic (4 Feb. 2021)
Health Minister suspends Medical Superintendent in District Headquarters Hospital, Okara South (31 Jan. 2021)
Minister orders crackdown on unregistered blood banks (1 Jan. 2021)
First Haemophilia Center opens in Karachi (19 Dec. 2020)
Punjab Home Dept seeks report on illegal plasma transfusions at high prices (2 Sept. 2020)
Blood banks without licence illegal, says minister (21 July 2020)

Panama

Panama City hospitals tighten visiting restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise (11 Jan. 2022)

Papua New Guinea

Doctor appeals for more blood donors (15 June 2022)
Little Peter, a boy with retinabloma, chronic anemia, and iron deficiency will undergo surgery this week (1 Mar. 2022)

Philippines

Girl with leukemia appeals for urgent help (20 Apr. 2022)
Army conducts bloodletting to aid troops, dependents (30 Mar. 2022)
MISSING CONTEXT: Public needs to pay for blood from Red Cross (25 Sept. 2021)
After losing daughter, mom worries about son with same illness (22 Sept. 2021)
Iloilo town launches free blood delivery program (29 July 2021)
Blood disorder takes toll on teenager’s body (18 Mar. 2021)
Local government units must lead in blood drives for COVID-19 convalescent plasma (15 Jan. 2021) | Priority should be given to eliminating family/replacement and paid donor systems.

Qatar

Blood donation increases during Ramadan in Qatar (27 Apr. 2022)

Russia

12 research centers will create technologies to strengthen immunity (9 Aug. 2021)

Rwanda

Rwanda looks to meet blood transfusion demand by 2025 (14 June 2022)
Drones have transformed blood delivery in Rwanda (23 Apr. 2022)

Saudi Arabia

Transfusion Medicine & Stem Cells Master of Biomedical Sciences at Alfaisal University

Senegal

Senegal takes to social media to boost blood donations (16 June 2022)

Singapore

Singapore is facing a dengue fever 'emergency' and peak season has only just begun (12 June 2022)
Singapore approves clinical trial of TCR-T cell therapy for liver cancer (9 May 2022) | SCG101 is being developed to treat HBV-related liver cancer, the most common liver cancer.
Forum: Extra care taken with seniors who are first-time blood donors (8 Feb. 2022)
Fewer blood donors in 2020, but collection at 5-year high (7 Mar. 2021)
Number of young blood donors in declining in worrying trend: Singapore Red Cross (6 Mar. 2022)

South Africa

South Africa seeing another Covid surge, this time from new omicron subvariant, BA.4 (29 Apr. 2022) | Daily cases are over 6,000 per day, up from a few hundred just a few weeks ago.
Patient blood management key for improving South Africa’s healthcare (9 Feb. 2022)
Tortilla the tortoise gets her groove back after blood transfusion (22 Nov. 2021)
SANBS appeals for blood donations amid declining stocks (12 Nov. 2021)
SANBS continues to battle critically low blood stocks due to COVID-19 (30 Sept. 2021)
SANBS celebrates the women in blood transfusion medicine (26 Aug. 2021)
Blood donations negatively affected by unrest (17 July 2021)
Not in vein: New facility takes South Africans through 'journey of the blood' (4 June 2021)

South Korea

BMS Korea gets regulatory nods for 2 myelofibrosis treatments (11 May 2022) | As Korea's blood stocks have plummeted due to the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic, the company expects that Reblozyl's effect on reducing blood transfusion requirements will help the country’s blood supply.
18,478 Shincheonji Church members donated blood to solve the blood shortage across South Korea (11 May 2022)
Hospital staffers save patient with direct transfusion (1 Dec. 2021)
Government aims to manufacture artificial blood for commercial use by mid-2030s (29 July 2021)

South Sudan

Malaria in South Sudan: prevention is key (18 Nov. 2021) | Patients with severe malaria often develop anemia and safe stocked blood banks are a necessity. Blood is typically only donated by a patient's relatives. One of the problems is that families rarely own phones.

Spain

First out-of-hospital blood transfusion in Andalucía is carried out by an air ambulance crew in Ronda (5 May 2022)
Malaria case in woman prompts a number of hypotheses (14 Feb. 2022)
Majorca: “My son’s life depends on blood transfusions” (28 Nov. 2021)
Blood Transfusion Center in Almuñecar put out an urgent call for blood donations (31 Jan. 2021)
Madrid doubles vital blood donation goal with historic response to appeal (16 Jan. 2021)

Sri Lanka

Functions at National Blood Transfusion unit to turn critical soon (15 June 2022)
Donating blood benefits donors and recipients health wise (12 June 2022) | NBTS officials say that they are now facing new challenges due to the severe shortage of foreign reserves and inflation which has crippled the country’s economy.
National Blood Transfusion Service calls for critical donations of quality-assured consumables (4 May 2022)
No HIV transmission by blood transfusion in last few years (29 Apr. 2022)
No shortage of blood components - official (27 Apr. 2022)
On Freedom Day, Arosha was discharged free of thalassaemia after first ever allogeneic bone marrow transplant in country (13 Mar. 2022)
‘National plan required for blood transfusion amidst increased demand’ (20 July 2021)
Shortage of blood at NBTS due to COVID-19 risks and restrictions on movement (8 May 2021)

Sweden

Swedish Public Health Agency recommends 2nd booster for elderly (14 Feb. 2022)

Switzerland

Industry news: Quotient receives CE mark for its MosaiQ extended IH microarray (14 Mar. 2022)

Syria

No free treatment in Aleppo’s public hospitals, patients appeal to businessmen for help (24 Nov. 2021)

Taiwan

Nation orders 700K units of Pfizer's COVID-19 pill as infections rise (11 Apr. 2022)
Blood supplies run critically low (16 Jan. 2021)

Tanzania

Bank employees donate blood to the National Blood Transfusion Service (27 June 2022)
Why voluntary blood donations should be encouraged (23 May 2022)
Blood transfusion centres receive continental quality accreditation (14 May 2022)
Tanzania targets 70 accredited blood transfusion centres (9 May 2022)
Muhimbili National Hospital in modernized blood cell exchange (18 Sept. 2021)
Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam unveils new sickle cell disease treatment (6 Aug. 2021)
Delivering medical treatments and transporting lab tests for faster processing, drones are saving lives in remote islands (19 Apr. 2021)
City medics, nurses train to receive hemophilia patients (13 Apr. 2021)
NBTS official calls for more blood donation to save lives (8 Feb. 2021)
Unidentified disease kills 15 (7 Feb. 2021)

The Gambia

Nation secures additional funds ($50 million) from the World Bank to improve health care, including a national blood transfusion center (20 Nov.2021)

Trinidad and Tobago

Mt Hope vet school: Blood transfusion can save your dog's life (12 Mar. 2022)
North West Regional Health Authority must compensate Williamsville farmer for transfusion of wrong blood (30 July 2021)

Turkey

Cat lends blood to save ailing sister's life in western Turkey (4 Dec. 2021)

UAE

Abu Dhabi: SEHA urges residents to donate blood and save lives (27 Apr. 2022)
Abu Dhabi: Indian women's group donates rare blood types to help save lives (25 Dec. 2021)
Abu Dhabi Health Services treats 100 in-utero babies with fetal transfusions (15 July 2021)
Vaccinated people may donate blood within 14 days of first or second dose (25 Feb. 2021)

Uganda

Uganda seek to make sickle cell screening mandatory for couples before marriage (24 June 2022)
Uganda needs 450,000 units of blood annually to save lives (18 June 2022)
UBTS seeks law to punish persons selling blood (20 May 2022)
Committee picks Health Centre IVs over hospital (23 Apr. 2022) | The money would ensure the facilities are equipped with blood transfusion services...
MOH: 90% of Health Center IVs cannot offer blood transfusion (10 Feb. 2022)

UK

Jump to Infected Blood Inquiry
SHOT celebrates its Silver Jubilee in 2022
'Blood transfusions gave me an extra 24 hours with my dying mum - now I give blood in her memory' (20 June 2022)
NHSBT: National Blood Week: More than 3,300 new blood donors are needed in Devon (19 June 2022)
Scotland: Male blood donor turned away from clinic for refusing to say if he’s pregnant (18 June 2022) | SNBTS: ‘Whilst pregnancy is only a relevant question to those whose biological sex or sex assigned at birth is female, sex assigned at birth is not always visually clear to staff.'
NHSBT: Black donor who has given the most blood of the most in demand type (16 June 2022) | Peter Jones has donated R_o blood 102 times
NHS says one million more blood donors are needed in next five years (12 June 2022)
Blood drives scheduled to aid community, benefit leukemia patient Kenzie Gulick (7 June 2022)
NHSBT: Donated blood has kept us together (Includes 2:07 min. video) | Suki is one of the youngest sickle cell patients to rely on regular blood transfusions.
Scotland: Lanarkshire man helps hundreds of people by donating 150 pints of blood over the years (24 May 2022)
Leona Harris: Fairfield nurse vows to fight on after 'whitewash' appeal decision (18 May 2022) | Related:
- Employment Tribunal of Leona Harris (18 Oct. 2019) | The complaint of unfair dismissal is not well-founded and is dismissed.
NHSBT: £20 million for new blood and transplant research units - with Oxford University partnership (16 May 2022)
Scotland: Readers' Letters: New donor questions too bleeding political (16 May 2022)
Scotland: Scots cancer teen thanks ‘lifesaver’ blood donors as brave fighter leaves hospital (10 May 2022)
Norfolk leukaemia patient in diverse heritage donor call (7 May 2022)
NHSBT: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ stars inspire public to ‘become real-life heroes’ by donating blood as NHS teams up with Marvel Studios (5 May 2022)
Northumberland rescue dog who nearly died from random wound is saved by blood transfusions (3 May 2022)
Scotland: SNP accused of sowing division with Scot or British blood donor question (26 Apr. 2022)
Wales: Two dogs, one special connection: The tale of Bridget, Cora and the gift of life (18 Apr. 2022) | Two dogs met for the first time after a blood transfusion from one dog saved the other's life.
Black church leaders call for black and mixed-race blood and organ donors – amid ‘urgent shortage’ (15 Apr. 2022)
Scotland: Celebration as Blantyre man makes incredible 700th blood donation (11 Apr. 2022)
Anticipation key to tackling perioperative anemia (7 Apr. 2022) | British Society for Haematology 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting: Abstract BSH22-PO119. Presented April 4, 2022.
Poorly Harrogate boy, 6, has to sleep with needle in his leg every night and gets transfused every 3 weeks (27 Mar. 2022)
I've had a blood transfusion every 3 weeks since I was 2 months old due to a rare disease that can kill people in their 30s (17 Mar. 2022)
MHRA: Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority issues marketing authorisation for Aspaveli® (pegcetacoplan) in adults with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (1 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- NICE recommends Aspaveli ahead of MHRA decision (9 Dec. 2021)
Lanarkshire schoolgirl champions pioneering campaign to persuade young people to give blood (26 Feb. 2022)
Library resource (UK - SHOT): Part 1 (5:11 min. video): Anti-D immunoglobulin errors and immunisation in pregnancy: Insights from SHOT (24 Feb. 2022)
Library resource (UK - SHOT): Part 2 (5:19 min. video): Anti-D immunoglobulin errors and immunisation in pregnancy: Insights from SHOT (24 Feb. 2022)
NHSB: Mother of three has sickle cell disorder and receives red cell exchanges every five weeks Related:
- NHSBT: Down memory lane | Many stories of long time blood donors
Dad thanks blood donors for giving him three extra years with son who died aged 11 (14 Feb. 2022)
The Air Ambulance Service -TAAS brings blood on board (11 Feb. 2022) | TAAS press release
New transfusion medicine course for VNs and technicians launched (3 Feb. 2022)
Scotland: Hero pooch Missy donates blood and saves a life after dog plunged from Salisbury Crag (27 Jan. 2022)
N. Ireland: Dundonald three-year-old battling cancer asks public to give blood instead of gifts for birthday (19 Jan. 2022)
NHSBT resumes convalescent plasma collection on a small scale (17 Jan. 2022)
SHOT issues alert on preventing transfusion delays in bleeding and critically anaemic patients (17 Jan. 2022)
Expect another omicron wave in early summer, SAGE says (14 Jan. 2022) | SAGE
N. Ireland: Northern Ireland blood transfusion service issue appeal after donations fall by a third (12 Jan. 2022)
'Blood transfusions saved my life but a delay in blood donation rule changes had put Black communities at risk' (10 Jan. 2022)
Cambridgeshire mother whose premature son needed 14 transfusions makes 'give blood' plea amid COVID-19 cancellations (24 Dec. 2021)
Scotland: Concerning drop in blood donor numbers (20 Dec. 2021)
'When I was diagnosed with AIDS I thought I'd go home in a coffin but it's not a death sentence anymore' (2 Dec. 2021)
Leicestershire mother urges more men to become bone marrow donors (28 Nov. 2021)
Thousands of Brits with HIV to be offered new long-acting treatment (18 Nov. 2021)
N. Ireland: ‘My son Olcan’t life can be saved by the right bone marrow donation’ (12 Nov. 2021)
Alfie’s race against time: Boy dying of crippling disease needs urgent donor bone marrow match (5 Nov. 2021) | Family hopes someone of Chinese-Western origin will come forward as his mother is from China.
Hull mum's desperate plea for blood donors as NHS suffers major shortage, lowest number of blood donors in 25 years during the pandemic (5 Nov. 2021)
NHSBT/UKHSA: Safe supplies 2020: progress in a pandemic (Updated: 29 Oct. 2021) Related:
- 2020 Annual Report (Scroll down)
Canterbury grandmother's plea to help save critically-ill dog 'Boo Bear' that needs a transfusion costing £1,500 (29 Oct. 2021)
Industry news: UK's Intelligent Fingerprinting’s simple saliva-based COVID-19 test now CE marked and available for sale (25 Oct. 2021) | About Intelligent Fingerprinting
Blackburn patient's blood transfusion delayed by nurse's 'serious misconduct' (21 Oct. 2021)
Testing at private lab suspended following NHS Test and Trace investigation (Press release, Health Security Agency:15 Oct. 2021)
NHSBT steering group concludes that donors no longer need to be asked about a partner’s sexual contact in parts of the world where HIV is very common (11 Oct. 2021)
Scotland: Big hearted Glaswegians asked to donate blood to boost supplies this winter (11 Oct. 2021)
NHS announces deal for life changing sickle cell treatment (5 Oct. 2021)
Annual SHOT symposium (14-15 July 2021) | Oral and poster abstracts (30 Sept. 2021)
- 2 oral abstracts
- 29 poster abstracts
Blood donation drive begins in memory of Richard Okorogheye, black teen with sickle cell disorder found dead in Epping Forest (25 Sept. 2021)
Brixton cat saved by over £1,000 in donations (24 Sept. 2021)
Scotland: SNBTS to deploy Biolog-id Smart Storage RFID kits nationwide (22 Sept. 2021)
End the discriminatory ban on African blood donors (17 Sept. 2021)
BBTS: Annual Scientific Meeting of the British Blood Transfusion Society (13-15 Sept. 2021, Virtual Event) | Transfus Med.Sept 2021;31(S1) - Free full textF
- Award lectures (n=3)
- Oral sessions (n=6)
- Poster sessions (n=80)
- Author index
Cambridge referral centre to offer open-heart surgery in dogs and start its own blood transfusion service (8 Sept. 2021)
NHSBT: Schools are now teaching young people how to donate and save lives (7 Sept. 2021) | Related:
- The science of blood donation: KS3 and KS4 lesson plan (ages 11-16)
Norther Ireland: NI Blood and Transfusion Service 'overwhelmed' by response to teacher's plea for blood to 'save her life' (23 Aug. 2021)
Government launches UK-wide antibody surveillance programme (Govt. press release, 22 Aug. 2021)
Northern Ireland: Changes to rules about blood donation for gay and bisexual men to be introduced 16 August (12 Aug. 2021) | Delayed due to a lack of staff and training resources.
NHS urges black Britons to give blood as demand rises over life-saving transfusions for sickle cell patients (28 July 2021)
Life saving operation for girl with rare blood disorder (27 July 2021)
Girl kept alive for 10 years by blood transfusions finally has transplant after finding genetic twin (26 July 2021)
In England, blood donation is still limited for black people (20 July 2021)
£19.6 million awarded to new research studies to help diagnose and treat long COVID (18 July 2021) | Related:
- Three Imperial College London projects are among 15 UK-based studies to be backed by government funding through NIHR (18 July 2021)
Blood plasma production: OK for the UK? (16 July 2021)
Tributes to 'incredible' gent and infected blood campaigner (13 July 2021)
N. Ireland: Seventy people died while waiting for a transplant since 2016, figures reveal (29 June 2021)
N. Ireland: First Minister gives ‘approval’ for new opt-out organ donation legislation to proceed (24 June 2021)
Feel good story: ‘Little hero’ - William Rhodes' adventure after 200th blood transfusion (24 June 2021)
Scotland: Fairer assessment for blood donors (14 June, 2021; Scottish Govt.) Related:
- Blood donation rule change is 'step in the right direction' says Manchester transfusion centre (14 June 2021)
- Can donor selection policy move from a population-based donor selection policy to one based on a more individualised risk assessment? Conclusions from the For the Assessment of Individualised Risk (FAIR) group (Dec. 2020)
Scotland: Plea for more than 500 donors to come forward for the Inverness blood bank (5 June 2021)
Nurse who faced being struck off after she saved a woman's life with a blood transfusion has been cleared by an official inquiry (20 Apr. 2021) | Related:
- Employment Tribunal of Leona Harris (18 Oct. 2019) | The complaint of unfair dismissal is not well-founded and is dismissed
Scotland: Dunfermline - Blood donation sessions at Vine Conference Centre under review (16 Apr. 2021)
Bikers transporting blood for NHS (16 Apr. 2021)
Air ambulance charity delivers 100th blood transfusion (15 Apr. 2021)
Patient rang 999 from hospital bed after being refused oxygen, inquest hears (1 Apr. 2021)
- It seems to me that if a patient is identified as having a sickle cell disease, it should be flagged up to the haematology team....a member of that team should be available should a patient show signs of sickle cell crisis.
Organ donation 'opt out' system begins in Scotland (26 Mar. 2021)
NHSBT: Transition of the plasma programme (18 Mar. 2021)
EU may restrict exports of covid-19 vaccine to UK (17 Mar. 2021)
Blood transfusions at vets saved young whippet's life (14 Mar. 2021) | She was diagnosed with immune mediated haemolytic anaemia
NHSBT: Funding boost to promote blood and organ donation amongst Black and Asian communities (11 Mar. 2021)
Yorkshire's Avacta Life Sciences's Covid-19 test can detect highly transmissible Kent strain (8 Mar. 2021) Related:
- Avacta shares leap as test detects new Covid variants (8 Mar. 2021)
Scientists set to revolutionise military medicine with man-made blood (6 Mar. 2021)
NHSBT and National Institute of Health Research announces funding competition (4 Mar. 2021)
Essex and Herts Air Ambulance appeals for help to raise £30,000 to keep ‘Blood on Board’ (4 Mar. 2021)
Ban lifted to allow UK blood plasma to be used for life-saving treatments (UK govt. press release, 25 Feb. 2021) | Related:
- NHSBT welcomes government decision to lift ban on plasma for fractionation after review by MHRA and CHM (25 Feb. 2021)
Teen is first to have lifesaving blood transfusion at the scene by Cornwall Air Ambulance (25 Feb. 2021)
Recovered Covid patients urged to donate plasma to help fight against the virus (20 Feb. 2021)
N. Ireland: Appeal for donors as blood donations drop by almost 700 this January (15 Feb. 2021)
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) rejects bluebird bio’s gene therapy Zynteglo for patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia in draft guidance (12 Feb. 2021) | Related:
- NICE Appraisal consultation document: Betibeglogene autotemcel for treating transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia (Feb. 2021)
- NICE Draft Guidance recommends patients be denied access to bluebird bio’s gene therapy for life-limiting rare blood disease (blue bird press release,11 Feb. 2021)
Air ambulance crew pedalling 654 miles for lifesaving transfusion kit (8 Feb. 2021)
'Convalescent plasma no benefit to hospital patients' (4 Feb. 2021)
NHSBT: Patient Blood Management launches Blood Assist app to support and promote safe blood component administration(1 Feb. 2021) | App can be downloaded onto personal devices or centrally in clinical areas.
Cumbrian vet in need of more dog blood donors - here's how you can get involved (25 Jan. 2021)
Associate lecturer receives OBE for services to blood transfusion and patient care (21 Jan. 2021).
NHS: Convalescent plasma donations for COVID-19 restarting (20 Jan. 2021)
2020 Annual SHOT Symposium is deferred to 2021 due to COVID-19
Infected Blood Inquiry+
November 2021 newsletter
Evidence Given (Latest 23 July 2021) | Transcripts and written submissions
Paymaster General attends Inquiry hearings on Treloar School (25 June 2021)
2020-21 financial report published (11 May 2021)
Infected Blood Inquiry: 2021 November newsletter
Latest videos from the inquiry
Timetable for hearings 9 Feb. to May (8 Feb. 2021)
8 presentations by haemophilia clinicians in 2021 (15 Jan. 2021) | Videos
Restriction order by Chair Brian Langstaff (14 Jan. 2021) | Grants continued anonymity to Witness W1303
Update following latest coronavirus restrictions (5 Jan. 2021)
Inquiry website
Terms of Reference
Tainted blood timeline | Excellent site with links to resources in UK, Canada, etc.
**Infected Blood Inquiry NEWS ITEMS**
John Major’s ‘bad luck’ comment on infected blood scandal angers victims (27 June 2022)
Man 'lost everything' after receiving blood infected with hepatitis C by NHS (27 June 2022) | He was misdiagnosed with haemophilia at age eight and given a blood transfusion that he didn't need.
Former PM to give evidence at Infected Blood Inquiry (21 June 2022)
Newcastle's haemophiliacs 'should have been told' they were at 'clear and special' risk of AIDS, inquiry hears (10 June 2022)
Infected blood scandal victims should be compensated at least £100,000, report suggests (8 June 2022)
Infected blood scandal payments could run into billions, report suggests (7 June 2022)
Victims of contaminated blood scandal should receive interim payments – report (7 June 2022)
Mother given infected blood says 'money can never make up for what happened to me' (7 June 2022)
UK patients affected by infected blood scandal to receive payouts (29 May 2022)
Government was wrong on risk of Aids to blood scandal victims, inquiry told (20 May 2022)
'I'm sorry people had to wait 30 years,' former minister tells Infected Blood Inquiry (20 May 2022)
Government accused of ‘Hillsborough cover-up’ after court hears doctors were asked to ‘tone down’ reports of contaminated blood scandal which infected up to 30,000 patients with HIV and hepatitis (11 May 2022)
A doctor appointed chief medical officer at the Ministry of Health had no training for the position (10 May 2022)
Government changed its mind on Infected Blood Inquiry 'because of pressure from campaigners' (30 Mar. 2022)
'Don't treat us with disdain' - Blood scandal victims demand publication of compensation report (21 Mar. 2022)
“We need justice, we need someone to say we are sorry” (21 Mar. 2022)
Mum did not require blood transfusion at hospital which led to hepatitis C (28 Feb. 2022)
Court of Appeal refuses permission to judicially review infected blood compensation scheme (21 Feb. 2022)
'My husband was given a virus that killed him' (21 Feb. 2022)
Jesmond infected blood campaigner's anger over being 'left out' of key compensation meeting documents (14 Feb. 2022)
'Embarrassingly large' stocks of available UK blood products weren't used by Newcastle doctors, blood inquiry hears (10 Feb. 2022)
Dr Frank Boulton gives evidence at blood inquiry (9 Feb. 2022)
Health officials thought victims would win court case, secret memo reveals (4 Feb. 2022)
N. Ireland: Army and jails helped keep up NI blood stocks during the Troubles, inquiry told (4 Feb. 2022)
N. Ireland: Financial payments for bereaved NI families affected by NHS infected blood scandal to be backdated to 2019 (31 Jan. 2022)
Ex-pupils and relatives sue Hampshire school, Treloar College (23 Jan. 2022)
Mystery over fate of blood components from donors, inquiry told (19 Jan. 2022)
Lib Dems call for Scotland's Covid inquiry to give update within a year (15 Jan. 2022)
Edinburgh woman 'robbed of chance to be a mum' after infected blood transfusion (14 Jan. 2022)
Inquiry hears how a Sydney schoolboy was given blood from a heroin addict (6 Jan. 2022)
Wife of tainted blood victim in payout plea for victims after her Alzheimer's-stricken husband spends 'last Christmas' waiting for justice (26 Dec. 2021)
Fareham victim of infected blood scandal feels like 'dead woman walking' as public inquiry rolls on (23 Dec. 2021)
Labour MP vows to continue to fight for infected blood victims (7 Dec. 2021)
Transfusion centre was a 'disaster zone' (3 Dec. 2021) | Features testimony by Dr. Marcela Contreras (now a Dame of the UK) | Related: Her testimony at the Inquiry
Doctor's 1983 AIDS statement 'unfortunate' (1 Dec. 2021) | Ahead of the session,chairman Dr Brian Langstaff, said it was "fitting" evidence about AIDS was being heard on 1 Dec., which marks World AIDS Day.
Contaminated blood scandal victim suffered mystery illness for decades before uncovering truth (15 Nov. 2021)
Blackpool mum tells her story of being infected with Hepatits C (12 Nov. 2021)
'No one listened to us': Two mothers reveal how infected blood scandal devastated their lives as they battled chronic illness while fighting for justice (7 Nov. 2021)
Another view of Armour's marketing rep: 'No sign of respect for harmed or grieving' (5 Nov. 2021)
Firm claimed products were safe despite using untested donors (4 Nov. 2021)
US companies claimed AIDS proposals were ‘too expensive’, blood inquiry told (2 Nov. 2021)
Ex-pupil begins legal action against Hampshire school over infected blood (20 Oct. 2021)
'Little evidence' of AIDS risk, pharma company claims (30 Sept. 2021)
Schoolboy survivors say they were 'injected with death' (27 Sept. 2021)
Former Revlon Healthcare company "Armour" that infected patients with HIV to face UK Inquiry 29 Sept. (27 Sept. 2021)
AIDS campaign was ‘not seen as a priority’ by Margaret Thatcher (23 Sept. 2021)
Tainted blood scandal that killed 2,400 ‘could have been avoided’, former Tory health secretary tells inquiry (21 Sept. 2021)
Government must show it can learn from past health mistakes to gain public trust (2 Aug. 2021)
Former health minister Clarke to give evidence (27 July 2021)
I was not responsible for blood products as minister, Lord Ken Clarke says (27 July 2021)
Department of Health ‘did nothing wrong’ during infected blood scandal Clarke (27 July 2021)
Families brand Ken Clarke’s actions during questioning as ‘disgraceful’ (27 July 2021)
Doctors 'didn't want to accept' blood products were risky, inquiry hears (21 July 2021)
Parents and pupils reveal they were kept in dark at stricken Treloar College (25 June 2021) | Treloar College had its own haemophilia centre run by NHS Drs.
Ex-Treloar headmaster - School could do nothing more to help HIV pupils (25 June 2021)
Treloar headmaster told pupils not to worry (23 June 2021)
Treloar College: Diagnosed with HIV at 15 then 'left to go and die' (23 June 2021)
Labour MP: Simon Jenkins is wrong about the NHS infected blood inquiry (21 June 2021)
The school where dozens of pupils died (21 June 2021)
Infected blood scandal survivor left ‘angry’ after death of school friends (21 June 2021)
‘Little involvement’ of parents in pupils’ treatment, blood inquiry told (21 June 2021)
Infected blood compensation framework study: consultation on terms of reference (14 June 2021, UK Govt.)
Haemophilia campaigners lament Westminster approach to infected blood victims (10 June 2021)
N.Ireland: Horror of infected blood victim who could have ’caused death to whole family’ (9 June 2021)
Government knew of contaminated plasma ‘long before it admitted it’ (7 June 2021)
'I want their voices to be heard' - Health secretary Hancock (21 May 2021)
Hancock pledges payouts if advised by inquiry (21 May 2021)
Appointment of Sir Robert Francis QC to undertake the infected blood compensation framework study (UK Government, 20 May 2021)
Swann (N. Ireland health minister) has 'challenging' meeting with families (19 May 2021)
Government compensation for infected blood victims inevitable, inquiry told (18 May 2021)
Government has 'moral duty' to compensate over blood scandal (18 May 2021)
No long-term commitment for Scottish HIV payments (18 May 2021)
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock to give evidence at inquiry (4 May 2021)
Scottish Government ministers to appear at UK-wide infected blood probe (1 May 2021)
Bereaved parents ‘need blood scandal compensation' - Newport MP (16 Apr. 2021)
‘Our brave daddy suffered all his life’ (13 Apr. 2021)
Widow of Hartlepool blood scandal victim welcomes 'significant step' in increased payments (5 Apr. 2021)
Belfast doctor fights back tears recalling those who died of AIDs during evidence (2 Apr. 2021)
Newport parents' 30-year battle for justice (26 Mar. 2021)
Contaminated blood scandal victims to get equal support (25 Mar. 2021)
Widow of man who died from infected blood scandal, praises The Northern Echo’s campaign for compensation (25 Mar. 2021)
NHS blood infection scandal payments to increase (25 Mar. 2021)
Victims welcome review into compensation payments (25 Mar. 2021)
'The government will pay us compensation now it is being forced to act' (23 Mar. 2021)
"I can't forgive them" says daughter of Thornton man who died after being infected by contaminated blood at Blackpool Victoria Hospital (23 Mar. 2021)
Victims of contaminated blood scandal denied financial support by arbitrary cut-off date (21 Mar. 2021)
Victims to be compensated by government (21 Mar. 2021)
Dame Elizabeth Anionwu on why black people’s voices must be heard (4 Mar. 2021) | UK's first ever sickle cell nurse wants to make sure black people's voices are heard in inquiry looking into how NHS treated people with infected blood ~50 years ago.
More financial support for N. Ireland victims of contaminated blood scandal (1 Mar. 2021)
Victims of blood scandal tell of crusade for truth on N. Ireland TV show (25 Feb. 2021)
Charity chairman admits 'disgraceful' comments (24 Feb. 2021)
Differences between the Scottish Penrose Inquiry & UK's Inquiry (5 Feb. 2021)
Newcastle doctor said Government and NHS made 'fatal mistake' (3 Feb. 2021)
Man 'not told of AIDS diagnosis for 18 months' (2 Feb. 2021)
Summary of hearings the week of 12 Jan. (18 Jan. 2021) | By UK Haemophilia Society
Patients ask why they were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C 40 years ago – and were not told they were part of a test (17 Jan. 2021)

Ukraine

USA^

Could your dog be a blood donor superhero? (30 June 2022) | The DoveLewis Blood Bank is in critical need of canine blood donors to provide life-saving donations for other pets in need. Learn how local dog owners can help.
Vitalant experiencing critical blood shortage ahead of July 4th (27 June 2022)
Las Cruces boy finds bone marrow match in sister. Here is their transplant story (24 June 2022)
FDA: Regulatory update: Blood community sends joint letter to FDA on HBsAg testing requirements (22 June 2022) | Related:
- The letter from AABB, ABC, ARC (21 June 2022)
FDA: FDA opens way to COVID vaccines for kids under 5, CDC up next (17 June 2022)
FDA: CareDx awarded CE mark for AlloSeq HCT in hematopoietic cell transplantation (17 June 2022)
Industry news: Long-term treatment with Enjaymo safe and effective, trial data show (17 June 2022)
Former FDA officials call for more transparency for drug approvals (15 June 2022)
Regulatory update: Regulatory update:FDA’s CBER plans to resume normal operations in 2023 (15 June 2022)
FDA: Voluntary Consensus Standards Recognition Program for Regenerative Medicine Therapies [Draft Guidance for Industry, June 2022]
Industry news: FDA grants fast track designation to Veralox Therapeutics' VLX-1005 for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (13 June 2022)
FDA: Israel's Scopio Labs gets US FDA clearance blood smear device (12 June 2022)
US seeks to expand monkeypox testing as cases rise (10 June 2022)
Industry news: bluebird bio soars as FDA Adcom recommends second gene therapy (10 June 2022)
Industry news: FDA Advisory Committee unanimously supports beti-cel gene therapy for people with beta-thalassemia who require regular red blood cell transfusions (10 June 2022)
White House lays out plans for distributing vaccines to youngest children (9 June 2022)
California clinical laboratory owners among 21 defendants indicted or criminally charged for COVID-19 test fraud and other schemes totaling $214 million (8 June 2022)
Not your average blood drive: Giraffe to donate plasma at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (8 June 2022)
Industry news: Moderna eyes fall vaccine season for omicron booster after phase 2/3 success (8 June 2022)
FDA: FDA advisers vote in favor of authorizing Novavax Covid vaccine (7 June 2022)
FDA: Effects of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on Formal Meetings and User Fee Applications for Medical Devices-Questions and Answers (Revised); Withdrawal of Guidance (7 June 2022)
Industry news: Pfizer to invest $120M, add jobs in Paxlovid production push (7 June 2022)
FDA: FDA approves tisagenlecleucel for advanced follicular lymphoma (6 June 2022)
Industry news: Bristol Myers Squibb withdraws supplemental biologics license application (sBLA) for Reblozyl® (luspatercept-aamt) for non-transfusion dependent (NTD) beta thalassemia (4 June 2022)
FDA: FDA Grants Sanofi and Sobi factor VIII therapy breakthrough designation (3 June 2022)
Industry news: Cepheid receives CE Mark for its Xpert Xpress CoV-2 Plus test (3 June 2022)
Industry news: J&J, AbbVie cancer drug significantly slows progression of rare lymphoma: Study (3 June 2022)
TMH’s helicopter service can now perform mid-air blood transfusions (3 June 2022)
‘Help one another’: Indy doctor, patient with sickle cell push for black blood donors (2 June 2022) | World Sickle Cell Day is June 19
Why you should donate blood for mass shooting victims, even if they don’t benefit directly (2 June 2022)
Industry news: Even at $2M+, ICER calls bluebird's potential gene therapy for blood disorder 'superior' to standard of care (2 June 2022)
Program allows blood recipients to thank their donors (1 June 2022)
Plans underway to ramp up monkeypox testing if outbreak grows quickly (30 May 2022)
CDC identifies 9 monkeypox cases in 7 states (27 May 2022)
Seattle blood banks step in to help after Texas school shooting (26 May 2022)
CDC plans to stop reporting suspected Covid cases to ease burden (26 May 2022)
Industry news: J&J's multiple myeloma toolkit expands with bispecifics data (26 May 2022)
Blood Emergency Readiness Corps activated to respond to the school shooting in south Texas (25 May 2022)
Industry news: Pfizer to offer low-cost medicines, vaccines to poor nations (25 May 2022)
Industry news: Lithuanian Northway Biotech (CDMO) to open facility in Boston (25 May 2022)
One organization has already sent 25 units of blood to Uvalde. Here's how you can help (24 May 2022) | The death count is now 19 children & 2 adults & it may rise.
FDA: Recommendations to reduce the possible risk of transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease by blood and blood components (Final Guidance for Industry, May 2022: As of 24 May 2022)
Regulatory update: AABB's Regulatory update: AABB's TTD committee monitoring monkeypox outbreak (23 May 2022)
CDC recommends Pfizer booster shot for kids ages 5 to 11 as Covid cases rise across the U.S. (19 May 2022)
A third of people in US should consider masking based on their Covid-19 risk, CDC director says (18 May 2022)
The Ray brothers: Kelly Ring talks with Florida family years after children's deaths from AIDS (18 May 2022)
National Academies report cites ‘urgent’ need to recruit more diverse participants for clinical trials (17 May 2022) | Related:
- Lack of equitable representation in clinical trials compounds disparities in health and will cost U.S. hundreds of billions of dollars; urgent actions needed by NIH, FDA, others to boost representation (17 May 2022)
As Red Cross moves to pricey blood treatment method, hospitals call for more choice (17 May 2022)
Industry news: Indian drugmaker seeks to toss 'bloated' billion-dollar lawsuit over Covid vaccine candidate (16 May 2022) | Indian firm is Emcure Pharmaceuticals & U.S. firm suing them is HDT Bio
The AP Interview: US 'vulnerable' to COVID without new shots (12 May 2022)
Tampa Bay cancer patient in critical need of transfusion during historic shortage (12 May 2022)
Industry news: Hologic secures US FDA approval for Aptima CMV Quant assay (11 May 2022)
FDA outlines benefit-risk approach to drug or biologic product quality assessment (10 May 2022) | Related:
- FDA Guidance Document: Benefit-Risk Considerations for Product Quality Assessments (May 2022)
Industry news: CSL, plasma companies win reversal on Border Patrol blockade of visas for paid collections (10 May 2022)
Connecticut and Rhode Island Blood Centers announce blood emergency (9 May 2022)
First patient receives whole blood from PA ground-based EMS unit (9 May 2022)
Coronavirus wave this fall and winter could potentially infect 100 million Americans, White House warns (7 May 2022)
Wife, 75, died in 2020 while sitting in 110F car outside Nevada VA hospital waiting for her husband to finish blood transfusion alone due to COVID rules, says coroner (7 May 2022)
CDC still unsure on cause of hepatitis cases in children, issues new guidance for adenovirus testing (6 May 2022)
FDA limits use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine (6 May 2022)
Covid's toll in the U.S. reaches a once unfathomable number: 1 million deaths (4 May 2022)
Diseases in the news: CDC issues treatment recs for suspected bird flu cases (2 May 2022) Related:
- CDC: U.S. case of human avian influenza A(H5) virus reported (28 Apr. 2022)
Industry news: Gilead snaps up rights to promising Dragonfly NK engager program (2 May 2022)
COVID-19 admissions jumped 18% last week: 9 CDC findings (2 May 2022)
Pleasanton man donates blood one year after farming accident nearly took his life (30 Apr. 2022)
Dayton's CBC joins ‘Blood Emergency Readiness Corps’ to help supply blood outside the region (27 Apr. 2022)
Nearly 60% of Americans now have antibodies from Covid-19 infection, CDC study finds (26 Apr. 2022)
Industry news: Pfizer, BioNTech seek U.S. authorization of COVID-19 booster shot for younger kids (26 Apr. 2022)
Blood transfusions at emergency scenes could save lives (26 Apr. 2022) | Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue is now training some of its firefighter-paramedics on how to do blood transfusions in the field.
Penn State researchers receive more than $3 million to develop new-look artificial heart (25 Apr. 2022)
Former soldier stresses importance of blood donations (25 Apr. 2022)
Give blood, get chance to win camper (25 Apr. 2022)
Giving a stranger a new life: One student's story about donating stem cells (24 Apr. 2022)
COVID-19 again the 3rd-leading cause of U.S. deaths (23 Apr. 2022)
Biden admin to promote availability of COVID antiviral pill (22 Apr. 2022)
CDC issues health advisory about acute hepatitis in children (21 Apr. 2022)
Walking blood banks: Why US children were tattooed with their blood type In the 1950s (21 Apr. 2022)
DOJ to appeal travel mask mandate ruling after CDC says masks still needed on public transportation (20 Apr. 2022)
CDC launches new center for forecasting and outbreak analytics (Press release, 19 Apr. 2022)
Unvaccinated U.S. children hospitalized at twice the rate during Omicron surge, CDC study says (19 Apr. 2022)
CAR T-cell therapy currently in UC Davis Health clinical trial study as potential cure for HIV (19 Apr. 2022)
FDA: Illinois company receives untitled letter for marketing unapproved HCT/PS (19 Apr. 2022)
COVID-19 cases to jump 94% by April 30 + 2 more forecasts (18 Apr. 2022)
Iowa State blood stem cell research may help treat leukemia (18 Apr. 2022)
Blood centers across America unite to provide blood supplies to Ukraine (18 Apr. 2022) | Related:
- Blood supplies for Ukraine (Fresenius Kabi will match up to the equivalent of $250,000 in blood collection supplies)
Iowa State blood stem cell research may help treat leukemia (18 Apr. 2022)
Arkansas Blood Institute faces critical blood shortage (16 Apr. 2022)
11 highest paying plasma donation centers (15 Apr. 2022)
COVID-19 update: FDA authorizes first COVID-19 diagnostic test using breath samples (14 Apr. 2019)
Stephenson Cancer Center, OBI, Hospice Agencies partner on clinical trial studying home-based blood transfusions (14 Apr. 2022)
Orphaned mountain lion receives blood transfusion (14 Apr. 2022) | 58 sec. video
Pandemic cut US life span almost 2 years, more than any peer nation (13 Apr. 2022) | Related:
- Woolf SH, Masters RK, Aron LY. Changes in life expectancy between 2019 and 2020 in the US and 21 peer countries. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 Apr 1;5(4):e227067. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
CDC extends transportation mask mandate until May 3 (13 Apr. 2022)
Child tax credit payments helped parents avoid selling plasma, taking payday loans (13 Apr. 2022) | Related:
- The impacts of the 2021 expanded child tax credit on family employment, nutrition, and financial well-being (13 Apr. 2022, Brookings Institute)
FDA finalizes guidance for hepatitis B drug development (11 Apr.2022)
Impact of U.S. COVID-19 vaccination efforts: An update on averted deaths, hospitalizations, and health care costs through March 2022 (8 Apr. 2022)
LGBTQ advocates want blood donation restriction lifted (8 Apr. 2022)
American Red Cross encourages blood donations during National Minority Health Month (7 Apr. 2022)
Federal appeals court upholds Biden vaccine mandate for federal workers (7 Apr. 2022)
AABB affirms support for California bill authorizing telehealth to meet blood bank staffing requirements (6 Apr. 2022)
Industry news: bluebird bio maintains its focus on gene therapy opportunities during structural changes (6 Apr. 2022)
FDA: Regulatory update: important information from FDA to consider when implementing a new arm scrub (5 Apr. 2022)
FDA: CBER director Marks calls for new gene therapy development paradigm (5 Apr. 2022)
Industry news: Imara left reassessing after sickle cell and beta-thalassemia trials disappoint (5 Apr. 2022)
The Biden administration accelerates whole-of-government effort to prevent, detect, and treat long COVID (5 Apr. 2022)
CDC, under fire for COVID response, announces plans to revamp agency (4 Apr. 2022)
FDA advisers to discuss additional COVID vaccine shots, booster design (4 Apr. 2022)
CDC - Omicron sub-variant BA.2 makes up 72% of COVID variants in U.S.(4 Apr. 2022)
Firms urge DC Circuit to revive suit over ban on visas for noncitizens donating plasma for pay (1 Apr. 2022)
Medical City Lewisville saves mother's life with 31-unit blood transfusion (1 Apr. 2022)
They're the 2nd set of twins in the world with this blood disorder. They need a miracle. (1 Apr. 2022)
FDA approves ViiV Healthcare's Triumeq PD for children with HIV (31 Mar. 2022)
CDC: Universal HepB vaccination recommended for adults age 19 to 59 (31 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- Weng MK, Doshani M, Khan MA, et al. Universal hepatitis B vaccination in adults aged 1959 years: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:47783. (Free full text)
Industry news: OctaPharma launches pilot to get paid in bitcoin for plasma donations (30 Mar. 2022)
Industry news: CSL Behring's EtranaDez under review in Europe as 1st gene therapy for hem B (30 Mar. 2022)
Covid-19 pandemic isn’t over for Black Americans, report warns (29 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- 2022 Report: The state of black America and COVID-19 a two-year assessment
Industry news: Companies want your plasma, and they’re willing to pay big bucks to get it (29 Mar. 2022)
Industry news: Sana on track to remove barriers for cell & gene therapy (29 Mar. 2022)
FDA and CDC authorize second COVID-19 booster shot for Americans 50 and older (29 Mar. 2022)
FDA seeks $8.4 billion to further investments in critical public health modernization, core food and medical product safety programs (28 Mar. 2022)
Biden seeks $81.7 billion funding for future pandemics as Covid aid stalls (28 Mar. 2022)
Industry news: CytoImmune Therapeutics opens clinical cell manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico (28 Mar. 2022)
Senators introduce healthcare Cybersecurity Act (28 Mar. 2022)
FDA halts use of GlaxoSmithKline and Vir's COVID-19 drug Xevudy in 8 northeast states (28 Mar. 2022)
1.2 million initiated direct-acting antiviral treatment for HCV between 2014 and 2020:65% were baby boomers (27 Mar. 2022)
Local blood center joins partnership (Blood Emergency Readiness Corps) to prepare for mass transfusion events (26 Mar. 2022)
FDA postpones decision on luspatercept-aamt for anemia in adults with NTD beta thalassemia (25 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- Bristol Myers Squibb announces new prescription drug user fee act goal date for Reblozyl® (luspatercept-aamt) supplemental biologics license application (25 Mar. 2022)
CDC updates Covid-19 guidance to allow patients wear N95s (24 Mar. 2022)
FDA: Label update for Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine long-acting HIV treatment (24 Mar. 2022)
Washington State Attorney General sues stem cell clinic over misleading claims (22 Mar. 2022)
Industry news: FDA clears ‘rapid’ Terumo BCT collection system, Rika, as demand for plasma-based therapies grows worldwide (22 Mar. 2022)
Plasma Services Group recruits and pays donors for diagnostic research who are actively taking Coumadin (22 Mar. 2022)
Diversity in the blood donor pool protects patients in need of rare blood (21 Mar. 2022)
Versiti Blood Centers to enter blood donors in $100 gas card giveaway (21 Mar. 2022)
FDA: Circular of Information for the Use of Human Blood and Blood Components (22 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- FDA Guidance Document for Industry: An Acceptable Circular of Information for the Use of Human Blood and Blood Components (March 2022)
Blood Shortages — How Can Hospitals Help? ( ABC Blood Bulletin 2022;22(1)1-2: March 2022)
FDA: Use and store at-home COVID-19 tests properly to avoid potential harm: FDA Safety Communication (18 Mar. 2022)
Layton canine blood bank calls for doggy donors amid shortage (18 Mar. 2022)
Industry news: Horizon Technology Finance leads $15M venture loan facility to Secure Transfusion Services, Inc. (17 Mar. 2022)
What is causing the national blood shortage? (16 Mar. 2022)
FDA: Draft guidance addresses gene therapy product development (16 Mar. 2022)
CDC: CDC confirms uptick in Covid virus found in wastewater (15 Mar. 2022)
CDC: CDC: Omicron variant fueled rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations among young children (15 Mar. 2022)
Blood community urges Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to consider blood sustainability when developing national health security strategy (15 Mar. 2022)
Industry news: Nutcracker snags $167M series C to develop 'push-button' RNA manufacturing, signs on former Gilead CFO (14 Mar. 2022)
Industry news: Fresenius Kabi receives US FDA 510(k) clearance for wireless Agilia® Connect Infusion System with Vigilant® Software Suite-Vigilant® Master Med technology (14 Mar. 2022)
Blood donations dropped when schools closed. Here’s what teens learn by giving a pint (11 Mar. 2022)
Former CDC directors: Coordinating our nation's health data will save lives (10 Mar. 2022)
Lab Advisory: HHS updates COVID-19 laboratory reporting guidance (10 Mar. 2022)
Industry news: Intellia's CRISPR-engineered cell therapy secures FDA orphan drug status after AML trial launch (9 Mar. 2022)
Harborview, Airlift Northwest study in-flight transfusion (9 Mar. 2022)
FDA final guidance presses industry to be 'recall ready' (4 Mar. 2022)
Healthcare agencies request data on COVID misinformation (4 Mar. 2022) | Related:
- HHS: Call for stories and research on health misinformation (Reviewed 7 Mar. 2022)
Industry news: New startup Andson Biotech makes developing gene therapies faster and easier (3 Mar. 2022)
FDA grants orphan drug designation to Priothera's mocravimod for acute myeloid leukemia (3 Mar. 2022)
Blood Emergency Readiness Corps expands to 30 blood centers (2 Mar. 2022)
Alabama couple travels to Houston for treatment for 'twin to twin transfusion syndrome' (2 Mar. 2022) | 4:22 min. YouTube video
FDA declines to approve Gilead's HIV drug on glass vial concerns (1 Mar. 2022)
FDA: Guidance document - Considerations for the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell products (Mar. 2022)
Pennsylvania woman donates plasma to pay for Disney World trips (28 Feb. 2022)
A clinical trial aims to reduce complications in life-saving lung and heart treatment, ECMO (28 Feb. 2022)
FDA authorizes revisions to Evusheld dosing (24 Feb. 2022)
CDC changes guidance and advises longer interval between vaccine doses (23 Feb. 2022)
The Lehigh Valley desperately needs blood donors, health officials say (21 Feb. 2022) | Related:
- Staffing issues, too, hinder blood donation in the Lehigh Valley (2 Feb. 2022)
New FDA chief says he will prioritize fighting misinformation (17 Feb. 2022)
FDA approves treatment for anemia in adults with rare inherited disorder (PK deficiency) (17 Feb. 2022)
Industry news: Reducing contamination during blood tests: Magnolia Medical lands $46M to fuel growth (16 Feb. 2022)
CareFlight first and only air service in Ohio to carry whole blood on aircraft (15 Feb. 2022)
Proposed Hawaii legislation would establish tax credits to encourage blood donation (11 Feb. 2022)
FDA - CBER: International engagements to respond to Covid-19 pandemic (11 Feb. 2022)
FDA: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA postpones Advisory Committee Meeting to discuss request for authorization of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years of age (11 Feb. 2022)
Share the love - give blood (11 Feb. 2022) | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partners with blood center to hold blood drive
CMS to cover blood-derived products for chronic, non-healing wounds(10 Feb. 2022) | Related:
- CMS: National Coverage Determination (NCD) 270.3 Blood-Derived Products for Chronic, Non-Healing Wounds
At-home COVID-19 test gets FDA warning: what to know (8 Feb. 2022) | Related:
- Do not use E25Bio COVID-19 tests: FDA Safety Communication (4 Feb. 2022)
Industry news: FDA approves Sanofi's Enjaymo for adults with rare type of anemia (4 Feb. 2022)
Surgeon General reassures parents FDA won't cut corners on under-5 vaccine review (3 Feb. 2022)
Industry news: Pfizer alleges stolen trade secrets at heart of Regor Therapeutics launch (3 Feb. 2022)
ARC offers Amazon gift cards for donors to ease the pandemic-driven shortage:
- Lake Forest residents can get paid if they give blood this month (3 Feb. 2022)
- Get paid for giving blood in Laguna Niguel (3 Feb. 2022)
Why the COVID death rate in the U.S. is so much higher than other wealthy nations (2 Feb. 2022)
‘At a breaking point’ | Virginia veterinary blood bank announces massive canine blood supply shortage (2 Feb. 2022)
Proposed California legislation would establish $500 tax credit for blood donors (1 Feb. 2022) | Related:
- Assemblymember Rodriguez introduces urgent legislation to immediately address critical blood supply shortage (27 Jan. 2022)
AABB: Regulatory update: new AABB toolkit describes options for collections from female blood donors with hgb levels of 12 to <12.5 g/dl (1 Feb. 2022)
Industry news: Takeda launches Oak Hill Bio to solve rare autoimmune diseases (1 Feb. 2022)
Texas woman receives 2 lifesaving blood transfusions, encourages donations (30 Jan. 2022) | U.S. experiences a national blood shortage, the worst in decades
US officials: Indications Russia has moved blood supplies to Ukraine border (29 Jan. 2022)
The latest Covid variant is 1.5 times more contagious than omicron and already circulating in almost half of U.S. states (28 Jan. 2022)
Millions of routine vaccinations have been missed amid the Covid-19 pandemic (28 Jan. 2022)
AABB developed a fact sheet for clinicians considering the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma re-FDA's revised EUA
HIV killed Paul Michael Glaser’s wife and daughter. Now his son is fighting to end stigma around the virus (24 Jan. 2022)
15% of US hospitals critically understaffed, 24% anticipate shortages: Numbers by state (20 Jan. 2022)
80-year-old Morrison man gives his 233rd blood donation amid national shortage (20 Jan. 2022)
City calling for San Antonio's youth to help raise dangerously low blood supply levels (14 Jan. 2022) | The blood bank says there has been a 60% drop in donations from donors aged 16 to 19, and a 30% drop in new donors altogether.
How the national blood crisis is impacting patients who rely on blood transfusions (14 Jan. 2022)
Red Cross declares first-ever national blood crisis (11 Jan. 2022)
Henrico mom of 22-year-old battling cancer pleads for blood donations as shortage continues (10 Jan. 2022)
Nearly a quarter of hospitals are reporting a critical staff shortage as Omicron drives a rise in Covid-19 cases (10 Jan. 2022)
Chicago mother says blood donations, transfusions saved her during complicated birth (7 Jan. 2022)
U.S. doctors group calls out CDC for ‘confusing’ isolation guidance (5 Jan. 2022)
Industry news: Jury finds Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes guilty on multiple charges in criminal fraud trial (3 Jan. 2022)
States report record COVID-19 cases entering 2022 - 2.7 million new cases (1 Jan. 2022)
Hospitalization of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients cost $13B (30 Dec. 2021)
Get a free pizza, Phoenix Open ticket voucher by giving blood in Tempe during shortage (27 Dec. 2021)
US army creates single vaccine against all COVID & SARS variants, researchers say (21 Dec. 2021)
FDA approves first injectable treatment for HIV pre-exposure prevention (20 Dec. 2021)
Court reinstates health worker coronavirus vaccine mandate in half of US (15 Dec. 2021)
FDA approves first drug to prevent acute graft versus host disease (15 Dec. 2021)
Blood supply reaching desperately low levels (10 Dec. 2021)
Pets in southern Arizona in urgent need of blood donors (10 Dec. 2021)
Industry news (UniQure): Fresh data show UniQure's hemophilia gene therapy appears to hold up (9 Dec. 2021)
West Michigan Air Care becomes first in state to offer whole blood transfusions in the sky (8 Dec. 2021)
Austin-Travis County EMS medics now equipped to provide life-saving blood transfusions in the field (8 Dec. 2021)
Industry news (Theranos): Elizabeth Holmes denies misleading investors in trial testimony (7 Dec. 2021)
11-year-old Houston boy meets San Diego man who saved his life (4 Dec. 2021)
Michigan shooting activates US emergency blood reserve (1 Dec. 2021)
Area hospitals struggle to find beds for transfers (1 Dec. 2021)
Code Red: Utah's medical community urgently requests blood donations (24 Nov. 2021)
Biden administration asks federal appeals court to immediately lift pause on business vaccine mandate (23 Nov. 2021)
Blood donations help save 2-year-old 'Barrett the Brave' (23 Nov. 2021)
Blood donations saved lives in Waukesha, more donations needed, says Versiti Blood Center spokesman (22 Nov. 2021)
Industry news: FDA grants priority review to bluebird bio's Beti-Cel for ß-thalassemia requiring transfusions (22 Nov. 2021)
ImpactLife offers way for blood donors to get appreciation from their recipients (22 Nov. 2021)
Biden administration suspends enforcement of business vaccine mandate to comply with court order (19 Nov. 2021)
Jeffrey L. Carson, MD, recognized for global impact on improving transfusion medicine (18 Nov. 2021)
Industry news: INOVIO, GuardRX and Geneva University Hospitals collaborate on clinical trial of Ebola DNA vaccine candidate booster (18 Nov. 2021) | USA Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) funded the trial.
Industry news: Blood Centers of America and B Medical Systems sign new agreement to better serve blood bank members with their cold chain needs (18 Nov. 2021) | Firm created CSF61, a contact shock freezer designed to fast freeze blood plasma ahead of its long-term storage in freezers.
Industry news: Catalyst Biosciences halts MarzAA program for hemophilia patients with inhibitors, despite positive results (17 Nov. 2021) See company press release
Texas: Blood shortage leaves empty shelves for patients needing transfusion (14 Nov. 2021)
Jury awards $14.75 million in downstate Illinois medical malpractice lawsuit (12 Nov. 2021)
Industry news: FDA recalls 2.2 million Ellume COVID-19 home tests due to false positives (11 Nov. 2021)
HHS to invest $650M to increase access to rapid COVID-19 testing (10 Nov. 2021)
Industry news: Nearly 1,500 U.S. businesses now advertise purported stem cell therapies without FDA-approved license (10 Nov. 2021) | Related:
- Turner L. The American stem cell sell in 2021: U.S. businesses selling unlicensed and unproven stem cell interventions. Cell Stem Cell. 2021 Nov 4;28(11):1891-5.
Phase 3 trial of gene therapy SB-525 for hemophilia A on FDA hold (10 Nov. 2021)
New Orleans: 11-year-old with sickle cell disease prepares for bone marrow transplant, younger sister matched as donor (10 Nov. 2021)
Federal appeals court issues stay of Biden's vaccine mandate for private companies with 100 or more workers (6 Nov. 2021)
Many states and cities are offering to pay kids $100 or more if they get vaccinated (5 Nov. 2021)
COVID-19 vaccines for children 5-11 must be covered without cost sharing, CMS says (4 Nov. 2021)
Virginia: Red alert: Need for blood donors spikes, as region experienced 6 massive transfusion protocols in 5 days (4 Nov. 2021) | COVID-19 fatigue also played a role.
bluebird bio announces new data from its lentiviral vector (LVV) gene addition programs for patients with ß-thalassemia and sickle cell disease who require regular RBC transfusions will be presented at ASH Annual Meeting in Dec. (4 Nov. 2021)
"They have really endless resources": Big Pharma spending $263M to keep drug prices high (3 Nov. 2021) | Pharmaceutical industry employed three lobbyists for every member of Congress. Millions of those dollars are in the form of campaign donations.
Texas: South Texas blood supply strained from rise in auto accidents and other traumas (3 Nov. 2021) | 20,160 people died in motor vehicle crashes in first half of 2021, an 18.4% increase from 2020.
FDA: Florida company receives untitled letter from FDA for marketing unapproved HCT/PS (AABB Weekly Report, 3 Nov. 2021) | Related:
- FDA letter to Riverside Biologics Health (27 Oct. 2021)
FDA: Manufacture of Blood Components Using a Pathogen Reduction Device in Blood Establishments: Questions and Answers, Guidance for Industry (Nov. 2021)
Industry news: Mitrix Bio publishes details of “mitlets” - newly discovered, experimental blood transfusion components containing donor mitochondria (26 Oct. 2021) | Related:
- Bollard E, Benson T. Mitlet fact sheet (15 Oct. 2021)
Hospitals forced to think outside of the box as blood shortage reaches new low due to COVID-19 (26 Oct. 2021)
HHS says it's spending $70 million to expand home COVID-19 testing (25 Oct. 2021)
More Americans are getting Covid vaccine boosters than first doses in rush for third shots (14 Oct. 2021)
Biden's vaccine mandate for companies nears as proposed rule sent to White House (13 Oct. 2021)
From donating blood plasma to participating in science studies, LSU freshmen are turning to alternative ways of making money to pay for necessities and college expenses (10 Oct.2021)
Blood Bank of Hawaii reports critical shortage in all blood types (8 Oct. 2021)
I hit rock bottom after racking up $125,000 in student loan debt – and donated plasma to pay bills (7 Oct. 2021)
Industry news: Australia's CSL Plasma seeks to open its first blood plasma donation facility in Connecticut (7 Oct. 2021)
Former Theranos lab director and staff testify in ongoing Elizabeth Holmes fraud trial that they voiced concerns about reliability and accuracy of Edison blood-testing device (6 Oct. 2021)
Child Covid-19 deaths are an 'embarrassment,' FDA vaccines head says (6 Oct. 2021) | Children under 18 make up 22% of US population but account for 27% of all cases, according to data published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and new infections among children remain "exceptionally high."
In Memoriam: Dennis Goldfinger, MD (4 Oct. 2021)
US surpasses 700,000 Covid-19 deaths (2 Oct. 2021)
- USA has the highest number; Brazil has the second-highest number: more than 597,000 deaths; India is third: more than 448,000 deaths
- Population in 2021: USA:333,437,210 / Brazil:213,300,000 / India:1,397,013,045 (more than 1 billion)
AABB: How can we avoid the under-transfusion of plasma and encourage pharmacologic agents? (Mark T. Friedman, DO, Oct. 2021)
CDC statement on pregnancy health advisory (29 Sept. 2021) | Related:
- CDC health advisory: COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant people to prevent serious illness, deaths, and adverse pregnancy outcomes from COVID-19 (29 Dec. 2019)
CDC director endorses covid-19 boosters for seniors, high-risk individuals (29 Sept. 2021) | Related:
- FDA authorizes booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for certain populations (22 Sept. 2021)
Diseases in the news: WNV season is an active one (27 Sept. 2021, AABB) Related:
- AABB's WNV Biovigilance Network: Suspected cases
Child Covid-19 cases decrease week over week but make up a larger proportion of total cases (27 Sept. 2021) | As of 23 Sept. more than 5.7 million kids have tested positive for Covid-19, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Blood Supply in Crisis: Versiti Illinois pleads for lifesaving blood donations ( 26 Sept. 2021)
Memphis shootings activate US emergency blood reserve (24 Sept. 2021)
Donate blood at Sonoma Raceway, get a ‘hot lap’ around the track (24 Sept. 2021)
Covid-19 death rate more than 4 times higher in least vaccinated states than in most vaccinated (22 Sept. 2021)
Guam Memorial Hospital staffing stretched thin by COVID-19 (22 Sept. 2021)
1 in every 500 US residents have died of Covid-19 (16 Sept. 2021)
Soldiers have 3 months to get COVID vaccine or face discharge, with few waiver options (14 Sept. 2021)
Innovative and rare blood transfusion (only the 7th in the world) saves life of gorilla at Kansas City Zoo (13 Sept. 2021)
Blood centers launch nation's first emergency blood reserve (10 Sept. 2021)
Biden expands vaccine requirements in health care settings (AABB, 10 Sept. 2021)
Blood donor survey suggests that 83% of Americans have COVID-19 antibodies (AABB, 10 Sept. 2021)
Pittsburgh Zoo's new baby elephant develops serious health issues, receives a plasma transfusion (9 Sept. 2021)
Children make up more than a quarter of the weekly US Covid-19 cases, pediatricians' group says (8 Sept. 2021)
African-American director for the Armed Services Blood Program, Roland Fahie has retired after 41 years serving in the U.S. Navy (7 Sept. 2021)
AABB: Videos of 2020 Memorial Award Lectures, including Dr. Harvey Alter Tribute
AABB: A Supplement to TRANSFUSION Blood Collection and Transfusion Practices in the United States: Findings from the 2019 National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey. Transfusion 2021 Sept;61(52):S1-S43. (3 'free full text' articles)
Book on HIV's history in USA: Institute of Medicine Committee to Study HIV Transmission Through Blood and Blood Products; Leveton LB, Sox HC Jr., Stoto MA, editors. HIV and the blood supply: an analysis of crisis decisionmaking. Washington DC: National Academies Press; 1995. (349 pp. pdf)
Govt to $3 billion in COVID-19 vaccine supply chain - White House official (2 Sept. 2021)
Industry news: Blood disorder biotech Disc Medicine gets $90M to bring two drugs into Phase 2 (2 Sept. 2021)
Industry news: Pfizer, Merck launch new trials of oral COVID-19 drugs (1 Sept. 2021)
CDC panel says more evidence needed for booster recommendation (30 Aug. 2021)
DC-area blood services issue critical alert – donors are needed (30 Aug. 2021)
NIH launches study of extra COVID-19 vaccine dose in people with autoimmune disease (27 Aug. 2021)
Screaming Eagles (101st Airborne Division) donate blood to save lives downrange (27 Aug. 2021) | Also screened for a “walking blood bank,” which allows for direct blood transfusions in emergency situations.
Northwest’s low blood supply is limiting deliveries to hospitals (27 Aug. 2021)
Covid cases show signs of slowing, even as fatalities surge again (26 Aug. 2021)
Industry news (FibroGen): Roxadustat increases hemoglobin in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia (26 Aug. 2021)
FDA extends Pfizer COVID-19 shot's shelf life from 6 to 9 months (25 Aug. 2021)
AABB: Preparing for WNV season and donor testing: AABB reminds blood collection facilities to report reactive donations to its WNV network to support transfusion safety (25 Aug. 2021)
RI blood supply remains dangerously low; hospitals could soon be wiped out of type O (24 Aug. 2021)
Industry news: Velico Medical achieves two significant milestones in developing spray dried plasma for lifesaving point-of-care transfusions (24 Aug. 2021)
First-ever national at-home HIV testing kit program launches. Here’s why the milestone has prompted cautious optimism from activists. (23 Aug. 2021)
Daily COVID-19 cases up 1,042% from 2021 low: 11 CDC stats to know (20 Aug. 2021)
AABB: Findings from 2019 NBCUS included in September Transfusion supplement (20 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- Transfusion Supplement 61(2).
- Kracalik I, Mowla S, Katz L, et al. Impact of the early coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on blood utilization in the United States: A time-series analysis of data reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module. Transfusion. 2021 Sep;61 Suppl 2:S36-S43. Epub 2021 Jul 8. (Free full text) | PubMed abstract
“Corrupted” blood: Covid skeptics are calling for blood transfusions from unvaccinated donors (17 Aug. 2021)
Minnesota state troopers' 'blood run' saves life of new mother (17 Aug. 2021)
More protection: US likely to authorize COVID booster shots for all Americans (17 Aug. 2021)
‘We are on fire’: Five U.S. states set new records for Covid cases as hospitalizations rise (16 Aug. 2021)
New England blood shortage ‘unlike any that we have seen in years’ (16 Aug. 2021)
Baylor Scott & White nurse donates blood for over 50 years to honor nephew's memory (16 Aug. 2021)
FDA authorizes 3rd COVID-19 dose for people With weakened immunity (13 Aug. 2021) | With millions of people around the globe still waiting for their first dose, WHO calls for a moratorium on booster shots to help make vaccine distribution more equitable.
COVID-19 antibody therapy infusion center successfully keeps patients out of hospitals (13 Aug. 2021)
Vivera Pharmaceuticals warned by FDA for unapproved COVID-19 tests (13 Aug. 2021) | Related:
- FDA Warning Letter to Vivera Pharmaceuticals (26 July 2021)
Expansion of monoclonal antibody transfusions could help lessen the burden of fourth COVID-19 surge in Florida (12 Aug. 2021)
Boston MedFlight adds liquid plasma to blood product offerings (4 Aug. 2021)
Residents angered as paid plasma center replaces East Westwood's only grocery store (27 July 2021)
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks issues emergency appeal for all blood types (23 July 2021)
Why are Tick-Borne illnesses increasing in the US? (19 July 2021)
Industry news: Big Pharma still largest lobbying spender as Biden signs crackdown executive order, House seeks to pass bill lowering drug prices (13 July 2021)
Surge in gun violence adds to blood shortage at Richmond hospitals (13 July 2021) | Related:
- Violent crime adding to severe blood shortage at local hospitals (12 July 2021)
AABB, ABC, ARC in joint communication urge Congress to consider the blood supply in emergency preparedness infrastructure (July 2021)
University of Mississippi Medical Center takes part in study to explore use of cold platelets in trauma patients (12 July 2021) | Related:
- Cold-stored Platelet Early Intervention in Hemorrhagic Shock (CriSP-HS)
We Need New Blood. Enticing a new generation to donate a precious and dwindling resource (5 July 2021)
Chandler, AZ, teen gets 222^nd blood transfusion as nonprofit sees fewer donors due to COVID-19 (2 July 2021)
Discriminatory blood donation policies defy science (30 June 2021) | Opinion piece by UPenn's The Regulatory Review as part of a series for Pride Month.
Oklahoma Blood Institute asks for blood donors as supply dips dangerously low (29 June 2021)
US faces critical blood supply shortage (22 June 2021)
Massachusetts has ‘terrifying' blood shortage not seen for decades, officials say (18 June 2021)
AABB: The future of hemovigilance (17 June 2021) | FDA’s Biologics Effectiveness and Safety (BEST) Initiative proposes to use software to collect data electronically and artificial intelligence algorithms.
AABB to change name of Karl Landsteiner Memorial Award to the Landsteiner-Alter award (15 June 2021)
AABB: Guide to the Quality Assessment of Transfusion (Updated, 2021) | Following are available for free: Table of Contents, Preface, Sample pages (3).
FDA reiterates consumer warning regarding unapproved regenerative medicine products (7 June 2021) | Related:
- FDA: Important patient and consumer information about regenerative medicine therapies (3 June 2021)
FDA lifts hold on bluebird bio’s sickle cell and beta-thalassemia gene therapies (7 June 2021)
King County Medic One SUV now carrying blood for in-field transfusions (6 June 2021)
AABB releases AB #21-02, containing guidance and considerations to support FDA guidance on platelet bacterial risk control strategies (2 June 2021)
FDA faces big questions as it takes a closer look at AI regulations (31 May 2021)
FDA: Proposed draft Standards for Immunohematology Reference Laboratories,12th ed. available for public comment. (28 May - 27July 2021)
Blood Bank of Hawaii prepares for seasonal blood donation decline by partnering with Special Olympics and a trades union (30 May 2021)
AABB regulatory update: Updating the circular with bacterial risk control strategy language (26 May 2021)
Some surgeries, organ transplants delayed due to blood shortage in New Orleans (24 May 2021)
AABB: Proposed draft Standards for Blood Banks/Transfusion Services, 33rd ed., is available for public comment (May 21-July 21, 2021)
ADVANCE study recruiting MSM interested in blood donation (18 May 2021)
COVID pandemic, restrictions cut into global blood plasma supply at U.S.-Mexico border (13 May 2021)
NY bill would allow air ambulances to carry blood (11 May 2021)
New Yorker (RN anesthetist) who lost both legs wants blood transfusions on emergency helicopters (30 Apr. 2021)
FDA and CDC lift recommended pause on Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine use following thorough safety review. (23 Apr. 2021)
Regulatory Update (AABB News): Re-evaluation of blood donor eligibility following a false-positive test for HIV (20 Apr. 2021)
NIH: COVID-19 treatment guidelines panel’s statement on the emergency use authorization of anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of COVID-19 (Updated, 8 Apr. 2021)
Those donating blood to ARC in April could win a VIP trip for 4 to the 2022 Indianapolis 500 (4 Apr. 2021) | Also eligible to win one of five $1,000 e-gift cards to a merchant of choice.
Arizona's blood supply critically low (4 Apr. 2021)
Washington blood donations running low due to vaccine misconceptions (31 Mar. 2021)
FDA authorizes machine learning-based screening device to identify biomarkers that may indicate COVID-19 infection (23 Mar. 2021) | Related:
- FDA news release (19 Mar. 2021)
The hype has faded, but don’t count out convalescent plasma in Covid battle (22 Mar. 2021)
Black blood bank inventor Dr. Charles Drew’s daughter says the health care inequities her father fought still exist today (18 Mar. 2021) | Drew worked with the ARC but resigned in the early 1940s as blood banks became segregated, separating the blood of Black patients from that of white patients.
Texas man donates 120 gallons of platelets over 37 years (16 Mar. 2021)
FDA: Combat Medical Systems, LLC, recalls Valkyrie LTOWB Collection, Valkyrie LTOWB Administration, Low Titer Type O FWB Transfusion Set, Fresh Whole Blood Transfusion Set, Fresh Whole Blood Donor Set for possible broken or bent needles (12 Mar. 2021)
Business is booming for the $24 billion plasma industry, but it may be putting vulnerable donors at risk (11 Mar. 2021)
FDA sends Nevada-based Reno Integrative Medical Center letter re-its marketing of a “dendritic cell vaccine therapy” to treat and prevent cancer (10 Mar. 2021)
Penn State students could earn $700/mth for donating convalescent #COVID-19 plasma (9 Mar. 2021)
CDC: Interim public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people (8 Mar. 2021)
Nearly half of patients with multiple myeloma die in the hospital (3 Mar. 2021) | Related:
- Abbasi S, McClune B, Abdallah A-O, et al. Hospitalization at the end of life in myeloma patients: lessons from the National Inpatient Sample (Oral abstract, ASH Meeting Dec. 5-8, 2020)
'Their blood has the death shot in it!' Anti-vaxxers freaking out over blood donations from the vaccinated (28 Feb. 2021)
NIH: Guidance for COVID-19 and people with HIV (26 Feb. 2021)
UCLA COVID-19 patient registry increases plasma donations, aids in research studies (23 Feb. 2021)
Texas: MD Anderson, Gulf Coast Blood Center desperate for blood donations after winter storm (23 Feb. 2021)
Blood supplies critically low in the Lehigh Valley as pandemic, relentless snow hinder donations (19 Feb. 2021)
Can COVID survivors' blood plasma help combat new variants? Here's what researchers say (18 Feb. 2021)
FDA: Letter to Pacific Stem Cells LLC for marketing unapproved uses of stem cells and more (17 Feb. 2021)
HHS published report on the adequacy of national blood supply (AABB: 17 Feb. 2021) | Related:
- HHS Report: Adequacy of the National Blood Supply, Report to Congress 2020 (105 pp.)
Versiti Blood Centers in need of blood and platelet donations amid severe winter weather (16 Feb. 2021)
Industry news: Bluebird bio halts sickle cell trials after leukemia diagnosis (16 Feb. 2021)
Industry news (Bluebird bio): Betibeglogene autotemcel (beti-cel), a one-time gene therapy, enabled durable transfusion independence in most patients with transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia (15 Feb. 2021)
Combating COVID-19 blood shortages in cancer treatment (12 Feb. 2021)
FDA issues EUA that authorizes Eli Lilly's monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 (Press release, 9 Feb. 2021)
Black History Month: Charles Richard Drew (9 Feb. 2021) Related: Charles Richard Drew, “Father of the Blood Bank”
Republican member of Missouri House of Reps indicted for fraudulently stem cell COVID-19 cure (5 Feb. 2021) | Also indicted for illegally providing prescription drugs to patients of those clinics. Related:
- United States of America v. Patricia Ashton Derges | Unsealed 2 Feb. 2021
FDA updates emergency use authorization for COVID-19 convalescent plasma to reflect new data (4 Feb. 2021)
Still no match for La Jolla mom’s rare blood type despite surge of donations (4 Feb. 2021) | Kp^b is found in >99.9% of caucasians,blacks and Chinese people of eastern Asia and USA
Red Cross offers free COVID antibody testing of blood donations (4 Feb. 2021)
Goodyear, AZ cancer patient denied blood transfusion stemming from nationwide issue (3 Feb. 2021)
Government awards $231 million contract to Australia's Ellume to produce COVID-19 home test kit (1 Feb. 2021)
Industry news: Mammoth Biosciences teams with Agilent Technologies to launch its CRISPR-based DETECTR assay test for COVID-19 (28 Jan. 2021)
NIH: NHLBI awards Versiti Blood Research Institute $12.3m grant for research on role of cell surface sugars in regulating blood cell production in health and disease (29 Jan. 2021)
Valkyrie - emergency fresh whole blood transfusion enhances 15th Marine expeditionary unit's medical capabilities (30 Jan. 2021)
National Blood Donor Month: Donors needed to help fill Army's blood supply shortage (28 Jan. 2021)
Federal agencies will study Covid vaccine effectiveness on ‘mutant’ strains, Fauci says (27 Jan. 2021)
La Jolla mother of three needs rare blood type to fight bone cancer (25 Jan. 2021)
Joe Biden names top geneticist Eric Lander as science adviser (16 Jan. 2021)
HHS allocates $300M for Abbott COVID-19 rapid tests or 'equivalent' testing tech (8 Jan. 2021)
One American dies from Covid-19 every 33 seconds as the vaccine rollout hits snags (5 Jan. 2021)
CSL Plasma paying Rhode Islanders $100 for COVID-19 plasma donations (4 Jan. 2021)

Vietnam

2nd facility of HCMC Blood Transfusion Hematology Hospital inaugurated (20 May 2022)
Health Ministry mulls stem cells, plasma for Covid-19 treatment (21 Sept. 2021)
Ho Chi Minh City faces serious blood dearth amid rising COVID-19 cases (23 July 2021)

Yemen

Blood banks face severe shortage as demand surges (16 Feb. 2021)

Zimbabwe

NBSZ: Blood group O critically in short supply (11 Aug. 2021)

International

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