Plasma centre changes in December 2021

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) had temporary funding for plasma for medicines donation using part of the infrastructure originally established for the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Programme.

In light of the important wider opportunity to develop the supply of immunoglobins in the UK, the Government has now directed NHSBT to retain three of the centres on a permanent basis and continue to collect recovered plasma.

The Government has said this is based on balancing affordability with the benefits of sustaining significant domestic plasma supply.

The three centres being made permanent are Birmingham, Reading and Twickenham. Other centres will cease collection on 10 December 2021.

Plasma needs to go through a very lengthy manufacturing process, so there is no impact on current supplies of immunoglobulins. We welcome the commitment to developing a domestic supply of immunoglobulin.