Health · Public Health & Disease · 14 hrs ago
French blood stocks fall as health and social disruptions affect donations
France’s blood agency says the country’s blood stocks have been falling since the start of September.
The agency warns that supplies could soon reach a level where it becomes very difficult to meet needs.
COVID-19 has delayed some donations because people must wait 14 days after their symptoms end before giving blood.
Severe weather also led to some collection events being cancelled in Gard and Hérault.
Social events have disrupted other collections, including some at schools and university campuses that were cancelled for safety reasons.
The agency says these cancellations reduced its ability to collect blood over the past two weeks.
Blood donations help treat one million people each year in France.
The agency is asking people to donate during the school break and says nearby collection sites can be found online or through its mobile app.
France’s blood stocks have been falling since the beginning of September, the French Blood Establishment (EFS) says.
EFS deputy director general Sophie Le Cam warned on October 11 that stocks were in a poor state and urged donors to come forward.
COVID-19 infections delayed some donations because people must wait 14 days after symptoms end before giving blood.
Severe weather led to cancelled collections in Gard and Hérault, while social events disrupted some collections at schools and campuses.
The EFS said these cancellations affected its ability to collect blood during the previous two weeks.
- Who
- The French Blood Establishment and potential blood donors. Sophie Le Cam, its deputy director general, issued the appeal.
- What
- Blood stocks have fallen, prompting the EFS to urge people to donate.
- When
- Stocks have been declining since the beginning of September. Le Cam made the appeal on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- France, including cancelled collections in Gard and Hérault and at some schools and campuses.
- Why
- COVID-19 delayed some donations, severe weather led to cancelled collections, and social events disrupted collections.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The state of stocks is not very good at the moment.
The stock has continued to decline since the beginning of September.
We are not far from a situation where things will become very complicated, so, because we do not want to get there, we are calling on donors to mobilise.
You just have to go to the website or the mobile app, and you will find all the collection locations near you.
The EFS says blood stocks began to decline.
Cancelled collections affected the EFS’s ability to collect blood.
Sophie Le Cam warned that stocks were in a poor state and called on donors to give blood.
- Stock trend
- Stocks had continued to decline since the beginning of September
- Donation waiting period
- 14 days after symptoms end
- Weather-related cancellations
- Collections in Gard and Hérault
- Collection disruption
- Some school and campus collections were cancelled
- Appeal date
- October 11, 2026
Sources
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