Blood supply in China remains stable and basically meets nationwide in-clinic demand, with inventory above the security line, an official with the National Health Commission (NHC) said Monday.

People are donating blood at a blood center in Tianjin, north China, Feb. 10, 2020. (Photo provided by Tianjin Blood Center)

Since the beginning of the vaccination against COVID-19, the NHC has strengthened the monitoring and coordination of blood supply, and put in place a system of monitoring and reporting on a daily basis, said Chang Jile, head of the disease prevention and control bureau under the NHC.

Based on scientific studies by medical experts, the NHC has introduced a waiting period for blood donors between vaccination and blood donation, Chang said.

To ensure safety, China is conducting nucleic acid test on all in-clinic blood supply, said Chang.