There're plenty of ways to help those in your community directly, and here at Townsquare we want to know what works best for you.

For a while now, I've really been wanting to host a mobile blood drive at our office in Temple. There is a urgent need for blood right now, and with so much going on in the world, running out of lifesaving blood is the last thing we need to happen.

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My great grandfather worked at the VA Medical Center in Waco for 30 years, and soon after retiring he became a bus driver for the American Red Cross. Eventually he became a phlebotomist and was able to draw blood from donors, which he did for many, many years. I'm going to be completely honest though, because I have never given blood. Personally, giving blood makes me incredibly nervous, and I've never been motivated enough to get past my fears despite it being something most of my family members participate in.

Now, something that you may be wondering is if you're allowed to give blood after becoming vaccinated for COVID-19.

According to the FDA's blood donation eligibility guidance:

  • Individuals who received a nonreplicating, inactivated, or mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine can donate blood without a waiting period.
  • Individuals who received a live-attenuated viral COVID-19 vaccine, should refrain from donating blood for a short waiting period (e.g., 14 days) after receipt of the vaccine.
  • Individuals who are uncertain about which COVID-19 vaccine was administered, refrain from donating for a short waiting period (e.g., 14 days) if it is possible that the individual received a live-attenuated viral vaccine.

So even if you have received the vaccine, you can still give blood. You may just have to wait approximately 2 weeks after the vaccine was administered.

With the recent announcement from Governor Abbott concerning Texas' Mobile Vaccine Program, I'm now thinking Townsquare should also host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic.  The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and members of the Texas National Guard are working together to provide mobile vaccinations to businesses and homes looking to vaccinate groups of five or more Texans.

"Vaccines are the most effective defense against this virus, and I urge groups of Texans who wish to get vaccinated as a business, family unit, friend group, or more to call 844-90-TEXAS to schedule a mobile vaccine clinic," Governor Abbott stated. "By working together to get more shots in arms, we will continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in communities across the state.

Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is much easier for me to say yes to then giving blood. Obviously we all have different opinions, so one option may be a better to someone versus the other.

I'm very interested in what opportunities the community would like to see presented, so please participate in our poll below.


LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.

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