Patients Request Unvaccinated Blood, Causing Treatment Delays
In the United States, some patients are requesting blood transfusions from donors who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, leading to treatment delays and potential health risks. At Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, 15 patients or their caregivers requested directed donations, preferring blood from known unvaccinated donors. This practice, while allowed in the U.S., is discouraged due to its complexity and potential for increased infection risk. The requests are driven by misinformation about vaccine safety, despite evidence showing that vaccinated blood is safe for transfusions. 
