Source: Fox News
Summary
A study published in the journal Transfusion found that an increasing number of patients are requesting “unvaccinated” blood for transfusions, despite no evidence that it presents any safety benefit. The study, conducted by Vanderbilt University, found that 15 requests for unvaccinated blood were made between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025, with 13 patients receiving blood donated specifically for them by family members. However, experts warn that this trend can delay care and pose risks to patients’ health.
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The advice sounds familiar.
Requests for unvaccinated blood have been on the rise since the approval of COVID-19 vaccines, posing a “recurring challenge for transfusion services and clinicians.” The study found that these requests were associated with care delays, escalation, and inefficiencies. Despite the lack of evidence supporting the safety benefits of unvaccinated blood, some patients are willing to take the risk. As one expert noted, “It is also very difficult to test for, because the antibodies may be positive from COVID itself as well as the vaccine, and it can be difficult to tell the difference.”
The notion that receiving blood from someone who had the vaccine would be harmful is not based on any scientific studies. Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, stated that these types of requests are “part of an ongoing fear culture.”
It seems that the desire for control over one’s medical treatment can sometimes outweigh the lack of scientific evidence.
Author: Evan Null
