Recent research indicates an increasing number of individuals are requesting blood donations from people not vaccinated against COVID-19, a practice unsupported by any evidence.

Rising Demand for Unvaccinated Blood

Doctors at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee examined blood donation data and found a rise in requests for non-anonymous, or directed, blood donations over the past two years. These requests were specifically tied to a desire to avoid receiving blood from vaccinated donors.

Study Findings and Data

Researchers analyzed blood bank data on directed donations between 2024 and 2025. During this period, 48 directed donor units of blood were collected at the request of 15 recipients. Every instance of a directed donation was motivated by concerns about receiving blood from vaccinated individuals.

The number of these requests increased from four in 2024 to eleven in 2025. Notably, eight of these cases involved children, with parents or guardians requesting the directed donations.

Potential Risks and Complications

The researchers emphasize that requesting unvaccinated blood is not only unnecessary but can also be dangerous. In at least four cases, patients experienced significant complications due to delays while waiting for a directed donation.

One patient went into shock due to low hemoglobin levels, and two others had to delay or reschedule their surgeries. Family member donors also require blood irradiation to prevent immune complications, adding to potential delays.

Concerns About Blood Donor Safety

Blood centers do not track the vaccination status of donors, as vaccination does not significantly alter blood composition. However, directed donations from individuals outside the standard donor pool may carry increased risks, as they are potentially more likely to carry infectious diseases.

Legislative Efforts and Growing Concerns

GOP politicians in states like Utah, Kentucky, and Tennessee have proposed legislation to expand the ability of individuals to demand unvaccinated blood. In Oklahoma, Representative Justin Humphrey even introduced a bill to establish a state blood bank exclusively for unvaccinated donors.