Background and Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has impacted blood systems worldwide. Challenges included maintaining blood supplies and initiating the collection and use of COVID‐19 convalescent plasma (CCP). Sharing information on the challenges can help improve blood collection and utilization. Materials and Methods A survey questionnaire was distributed to International Society of Blood Transfusion members in 95 countries. We recorded respondents' demographic information, impacts on the blood supply, CCP collection and use, transfusion demands and operational challenges. Results Eighty‐two responses from 42 countries, including 24 low‐ and middle‐income countries, were analysed. Participants worked in national (26.8%) and regional (26.8%) blood establishments and hospital‐based (42.7%) institutions. CCP collection and transfusion were reported by 63% and 36.6% of respondents, respectively. Decreases in blood donations occurred in 70.6% of collecting facilities. Despite safety measures and recruitment strategies, donor fear and refusal of institutions to host blood drives were major contributing factors. Almost half of respondents working at transfusion medicine services were from large hospitals with over 10,000 red cell transfusions per year, and 76.8% of those hospitals experienced blood shortages. Practices varied in accepting donors for blood or CCP donations after a history of COVID‐19 infection, CCP transfusion, or vaccination. Operational challenges included loss of staff, increased workloads and delays in reagent supplies. Almost half of the institutions modified their disaster plans during the pandemic. Conclusion The challenges faced by blood systems during the COVID‐19 pandemic highlight the need for guidance, harmonization, and strengthening of the preparedness and the capacity of blood systems against future infectious threats.

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Background and Objectives: Enabling universal access to safe blood components should be a key component of every country's national healthcare strategy. This study aimed to assess the current status of infrastructure and resources of blood transfusion services (BTS) in low-and middle-income countries. Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional survey was designed to gather information on blood donations, components, redistribution, testing resources and quality management systems (QMSs). The survey was distributed to the International Society of Blood Transfusion members between October 2021 and November 2021.Results: A total of 54 respondents from 20 countries responded to the survey. This included hospital-based BTS/blood centres (46%), national blood centres (11%)and national and regional blood services (11%). Voluntary non-remunerated, replacement and paid donors accounted for 94.2%, 84.6% and 21.1% of donations, respectively.Apheresis donation was available in 59.6% of institutions. National/regional criteria for redistribution of blood components were reported by 75.9% of respondents.Blood components incurred payment charges in 81.5% of respondents' institutions, and payments were borne by patients in 50% of them. Testing methods, such as

Background and Objectives: The use of coronavirus disease 2019 convalescent plasma (CCP) in the treatment of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 infection has been controversial. Early administration of CCP before hospital admission offers a potential advantage. This manuscript summarizes current trials of early use of CCP and explores the feasibility of this approach in different countries.Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) CCP working group. We recorded respondents' input on existing trials on early/outpatient CCP and out-of-hospital (OOH)/home transfusion (HT) practices in their countries and feedback on challenges in initiating home CCP infusion programmes. In addition, details of existing trials registered on clinicaltrials.gov were summarized.Results: A total of 31 country representatives participated. Early/OOH CCP transfusion studies were reported in the United States, the Netherlands, Spain and Brazil. There were a total of six published and five ongoing trials on the prophylactic and therapeutic early use of CCP. HT was practised in Australia, the UK,