False: Japan will not allow vaccinated individuals to give blood.

Japan has advised not to give blood 48 hours after receiving the vaccine to allow time for side effects to subside.Several posts on social media have stated that Japan has said that those who have received COVID-19 vaccines cannot give blood, with users implying that this means the vaccine is unsafe. This information is incorrect and there is no information to suggest that there are risks attached to giving blood among vaccinated individuals. According to the Japanese Red Cross, from May 14, 2021, individuals must not give blood within 48 hours of receiving the vaccine. Fact-checkers at The Annenberg Public Policy Center contacted a spokesperson for the Japanese embassy, who explained that the guidance has been put in place to allow time to recover from possible side effects of the vaccine. Normal side effects include headaches and dizziness, which may be heightened if people give blood, as donors can occasionally experience lightheadedness. The guidelines come as Japan faces a blood shortage as a result of a decline in donations during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Japan Times, the number of donors fell to about 6,000 fewer than the target between February and March 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.