Yes. The American Red Cross accepts donors who were vaccinated for flu with no waiting period, as long as you are symptom-free and fever-free on donation day. If the shot left you with a fever, body aches or a headache, wait until those are gone. A sore arm on its own is a local reaction, but tell the staff, and if you got the nasal spray (FluMist), ask your blood center because it is a live vaccine.
What does the Red Cross say about flu shots?
The American Red Cross eligibility list says donation is acceptable if you were vaccinated for influenza, providing you are symptom-free and fever-free. It does not list a waiting period for the flu vaccine, unlike some other vaccines.
So you can get a flu shot in the morning and give blood the same day or the next day, if you feel well. The question on donation day is not when you got the shot. It is whether you have any symptoms.
- No wait: flu shot, no fever, feel well
- Wait: you have a fever, or you feel sick, achy or run down after the shot
- Ask first: you got the nasal spray flu vaccine, or you are not sure which vaccine you got
What if the flu shot made me feel sick?
The CDC lists fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue as possible side effects of the flu shot, along with soreness, redness and swelling where you got it. It says most side effects are mild and go away on their own in a few days.
If you have any of those whole-body symptoms, wait. The Red Cross says to wait if you have a fever or do not feel well on the day of donation. Reschedule for a day when the aches, tiredness and any fever are gone.
Is a sore arm a problem?
A sore, red or swollen spot where you got the shot is what the CDC calls an injection site reaction, a common side effect of the shot. The Red Cross rule is about being symptom-free and fever-free, and it does not mention a sore arm. The screener has the final say, so mention it.
The Red Cross also asks donors to tell staff if they have a preferred arm. If your shot arm is sore, say so, so the needle can go in the other arm if that works for your veins. The needle site itself must be free of infection, inflammation and lesions under FDA rules.
What about the nasal spray flu vaccine?
The nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist) is different from the shot. The CDC says it contains weakened, live flu viruses and is approved for people ages 2 through 49.
The Red Cross list says influenza vaccination is acceptable, but it does not say whether that covers the nasal spray. For several other live vaccines, such as MMR and chickenpox, the Red Cross does require a wait of 2 to 4 weeks. Because the list does not spell this out for the nasal spray, call your blood center before you go. If you are not sure whether you got a shot or a spray, check your vaccine record or ask the place that gave it.
How do blood centers check if I am well enough?
FDA rules say a donor must be in good health on the day of donation. Before you give, staff check your temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin. Under FDA rules your temperature cannot be above 99.5 F, and the Red Cross uses the same cutoff.
So even if you feel fine, a temperature above 99.5 F at the check means you will be asked to come back another day. Other usual rules still apply: you must weigh at least 110 pounds, and the Red Cross asks you to wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood donations.
When should you get care?
In an emergency, call 911Get care the same day if you have a high fever after your shot, a fever that lasts more than a couple of days, or a red, hot, swelling arm that keeps getting worse.
After donating, call the blood center or get care the same day if the needle site keeps bleeding after 5 to 10 minutes of pressure with your arm raised, or you feel faint and it does not pass after lying down.
Call 911 for signs of a severe allergic reaction: hives, swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing. Also call 911 if you faint and hurt yourself, or have chest pain.
How our AI doctor decides when to send you to care ›How do I get ready to donate after my shot?
These are the Red Cross's usual tips for any donation. The last point about your vaccine is our own suggestion, not a Red Cross rule.
- Sleep well the night before and eat a healthy meal, avoiding fatty foods
- Drink an extra 16 oz. of water or another nonalcoholic drink before your appointment
- Bring a list of your prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and mention your flu vaccine and which kind you got
- After donating, drink extra fluids, skip alcohol for 24 hours, and avoid heavy lifting or hard exercise for the rest of the day
- If you feel dizzy later, sit or lie down until you feel better, and avoid activities where fainting could cause an injury for at least 24 hours
Common questions
Can I donate blood after a flu shot?
Yes. The American Red Cross accepts donors after a flu vaccine with no waiting period, as long as you have no fever and no symptoms. If you feel achy or feverish after the shot, wait until that passes.
Can I get a flu shot and give blood on the same day?
The Red Cross list does not set any waiting time for the flu vaccine, so yes, if you feel well. Some people like to donate first, since side effects like aches can come on after the shot. Either order works if you are symptom-free when you donate.
Do I need to wait after the FluMist nasal spray?
It may be. The nasal spray contains weakened live flu viruses, and the Red Cross list does not say how it handles it, though it requires waits for some other live vaccines. Call your blood center before you donate.
Can I donate if I got the flu shot and COVID shot together?
The Red Cross accepts RNA-based (such as mRNA), inactivated and non-replicating COVID-19 vaccines from Janssen/J&J, Moderna, Novavax or Pfizer with no wait if you are symptom-free and fever-free. It asks you to wait 2 weeks if you do not know which type of COVID-19 vaccine you got. For both vaccines, only donate once you have no fever or symptoms.
Will my flu shot affect the blood I donate?
The Red Cross and FDA rules used here do not list the flu shot as a reason to turn a donor away. What blood centers check is whether you are in good health on the day, including your temperature. That is why feeling well matters more than the timing of the shot.
Pymander is not a replacement for a physician and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.