Blood donations drop in Germany as holidays and colds strain supplies

The German Red Cross reports a pronounced dip in blood donations linked to the autumn school holidays and the onset of a cold season. In the north-eastern service area, reserves in Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg have fallen to less than three days, below the four-to-five days needed for stable hospital supply. Western states, including Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, still hold just over four days of blood, but the trend is downward.

Martin Oesterer of the DRK-Blood Donation Service Nord-Ost highlighted the importance of regular donations during such periods. He called on all healthy adults to book appointments soon, noting that blood components have limited shelf lives, with platelets usable for only four days. The DRK also reminded donors of waiting periods after illnesses or antibiotics before giving blood again.