Background The Coronavirus- 19 disease pandemic had a significant impact on the blood supply around the world. Physical distancing measures and many other factors contribute to this impact. Misinformation about methods of disease transmission and lack of knowledge among potential blood donors may contribute to this. Aim To assess the knowledge and awareness of blood donors about COVID-19 as well as their reasons and fears that prevent them from donating blood during this period. Methods This is an exploratory; survey based cross sectional study targeting Saudi population. Results A total number of 3841 persons responded to the survey; 58% were between the ages of (31-50) years. Most participants 74.5% were males. More than 60% of participants donated blood previously, and many were repeat donors. The majority of participants were concerned about the transmission of the virus during the blood donation process mostly secondary to concerns about contact with other blood donors. Conclusion Fear of contracting COVID-19 during donating blood is an important concern for potential blood donors. Blood collection facilities must take optimum precautionary measures to minimize this risk and are encouraged to communicate these efforts to potential donors for reassurance to maintain an adequate and safe blood supply.

BACKGROUND Blood transfusion is the first‐line treatment for patients with thalassemia and many sickle cell patients. However, cases of unregulated blood transfusion are shown to carry a high risk of alloimmunization to red blood cells (RBCs), which can lead to a hemolytic transfusion reaction and be fatal to patients. Screening and identification of alloantibodies are, therefore, essential practice in blood transfusion services. Transfusion of phenotyped blood can minimize these risks to patients. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A prospective study was carried out on 1015 donors, and a prospective and retrospective study was carried out on 208 multiple transfused patients with β‐thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. Donor and patient samples were subjected to Rh & K typing, and patient samples were also subjected to screening & identification of RBC antibodies. We aimed to determine the prevalence of RBC antigens in thalassemia and sickle cell patients, as well as blood donors, at King Abdulaziz University Hospital and the frequency of alloimmunization in the selected patients. RESULTS The most commonly detected Rh‐phenotype in donors was R1r (32.02%), followed by R1R1 (23.25%). Only 9.16% of donors were positive for the K antigen. The prevalence of Rh and K blood group antigens was also reported: the highest detected Rh‐phenotype was R1r (40.86%) followed by R1R2 (24.04%) with only (6.25%) positive patients for K antigen. The rate of alloimmunization among sickle cell anemia and thalassemia patients was 39.42% and 35.57%, respectively. The highest specificity rates of the alloantibodies were recorded for anti‐E and anti‐K in both patient groups. CONCLUSION The rate of alloimmunization in transfused patients was high and particularly observed against the Rh and K antigens. This study emphasizes the clinical need for typing patient RBCs prior to transfusion so as to provide phenotyped matched blood units and minimize the risks and associated morbidities of alloimmunization. Keeping a database of phenotyped blood donors is essential for the clinically effective and safe management of transfusion patients.

Background Novel SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) virus has rapidly spread worldwide and was declared a pandemic, making identifying and prioritizing individuals most at risk a critical challenge. The literature describes an association between blood groups and the susceptibility to various viral infections and their severity. Knowing if a specific blood group has more susceptibility to COVID‐19 may help improve understanding the pathogenesis and severity of the disease. We aimed to assess the association between ABO/RhD and COVID‐19 susceptibility and severity, and to compare results with similar studies in Saudi Arabia. Study Design and Methods This study was conducted between March and October 2021 on 600 patients confirmed positive for COVID‐19 infection. Patients' data were collected and analyzed. As a control, 8423 healthy blood donors were enrolled as a sample representative of the population for blood group distribution. Results More individuals had blood group B in the COVID‐19 group in comparison with the control group (24.2% vs. 18%), The opposite was observed among individuals of group O (39.5% vs. 47.3%). The B blood group was predictive of higher risk of mortality. No significant difference in the distribution of RhD was observed between the COVID‐19 and the control groups. Neither ABO nor RhD was significantly associated with the severity of COVID‐19. Discussion Although there was no significant association with the disease severity, the B blood group may be associated with a higher risk for COVID‐19 infection. Further studies with a larger sample size are necessary to evaluate this correlation.

Objectives To outline and analyse the national organisation, infrastructure and management of transfusion systems in countries sharing common historical, cultural and economic features and to decipher management trends, in order to potentially benchmark. Background Little is known regarding transfusion systems in Eastern/southern Mediterranean at a time international organisations are calling for the establishment of a safe and sustainable blood system. Materials and Methods Data emanating from eight Arabic‐speaking Eastern/Southern Mediterranean countries who responded to five surveys were collected and tabulated. Results While similarities in terms of supervision by national authorities, authorization of blood centres, quality control and management information system are evident, some significant divergence between these countries do exists. Only Lebanon does not possess a national blood establishment or organisation for blood supply. Blood components are fully government‐subsidised in Algeria and Mauritania. Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia have a blood supply that relies mainly on Voluntary non‐remunerated donors. Plateletpheresis is performed in all countries except Mauritania while plasmapheresis exists only in Algeria and Egypt. Morocco is the sole country outsourcing its plasma for Plasma derived products. Conclusion Despite the various challenges facing these countries, lot of progresses have been made so far in the field of transfusion medicine. Yet, nationally coordinated blood programs overviewed by national regulatory authorities and actively supported by local governments are still needed to ensure the optimum level of blood safety.