The Blood Service (NZBS) says stocks of the blood type A+ are critically low and is calling for donations.
(File image) Photo: 123RF
NZBS only has four days' stock of A+ blood, compared with the usually 10 days' stock.
Spokesperson Asuka Burge said there was a massive spike in demand, adding further strain to already depleted national stocks in the wake of Omicron.
"In the past week, we have had three emergency surgeries which have required 124 units of A+ blood between them (on top of normal demand), and as a result, we urgently need to build stocks of A+ blood.
This equates to 124 donors' individual donations being used in a very short period - and this has seriously depleted our A+ blood stocks."
Over the past seven days, demand for A+ has increased 19 percent above average with overall blood demand increasing by 13 percent.
Burge said about 31 percent of New Zealanders had A+ blood and they were calling for more healthy and eligible people to donate blood.
Extra appointment slots have been added, with several donor centres opening on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
In total, NZBS has more than 6000 appointments that need to be filled in April.
To book an appointment to donate visit nzblood.co.nz, download the App, call 0800 448 325.
New donors are encouraged to find out if they are eligible at nzblood.co.nz.
