In addition to helping tackle the nation’s ongoing shortage of blood donations, individuals who choose to donate to a Vitalant blood center can now also learn their COVID-19 antibody status after donating.

The antibody tests are part of a full panel of tests that Vitalant performs on successful blood donations, according to a press release. Donors are not charged for the tests and costs are subsidized, in part, by the Blood Center Foundation of the Inland Northwest and The Bonfils Blood Center Donor Advised Fund, the organization’s website states.

Antibody tests are used to tell if someone had a past infection with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Antibodies are part of the body’s immune response and not part of the virus itself, therefore antibody testing cannot be used to diagnose a current coronavirus infection — something that can only be determined with a nose or throat swab, among other means.

This testing also does not indicate whether someone is immune to the virus, the press release noted.

A positive antibody test does mean individuals “may be eligible to donate convalescent plasma and help people who are still recovering from coronavirus infection.” Considering coronavirus is a respiratory virus, there is no evidence the virus can be transmitted through blood donation or transfusion.

According to Vitalant’s website, the organization will likely provide COVID-19 antibody testing on all successful donations throughout the summer. Confidential test results will be available to donors on their private, online donor account approximately two weeks after the donation is complete.

The website also states that “sometimes a blood sample cannot be tested because of a technical issue.” An example of this would be if the blood in the sample clots and is no longer suitable for testing. Should this occur, donors will not see any test results in their online donor account and will not receive a mailed letter.

Vitalant officials hope the antibody testing will prompt more individuals to donate. There is an ongoing critical need for donations from donors of all blood types. A few weeks ago, Peter Marks, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said “we need people to start turning out in force to give blood.”

Vitalant is one of the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit community blood service providers and supplies comprehensive transfusion medicine services to nearly 1,000 hospitals and health-care partners for patients in need across 40 states.

There is one Vitalant location in the Flathead Valley, in Kalispell at 2593 U.S. 2 East. It is recommended that individuals call ahead to schedule their donation appointment at 877-258-4825. Donors and staff are required to wear a face covering.