Below is a lightly edited, AI-generated transcript of the “First Opinion Podcast” interview with Deva Sharma. Be sure to sign up for the weekly “First Opinion Podcast” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Get alerts about each new episode by signing up for the “First Opinion Podcast” newsletter. And don’t forget to sign up for the First Opinion newsletter, delivered every Sunday.
For many people, there’s something a little unsettling about the idea of a blood transfusion. It’s someone else’s cells becoming part of their body. And in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, some patients, including parents of patients, are objecting to the idea of a donation from someone who has been vaccinated. But how can and should hospitals respond to these requests?
Welcome to the “First Opinion Podcast.” I’m Torie Bosch, editor of First Opinion. First Opinion is STAT’s home for big, bold ideas from health care providers, researchers, patients, and others who have something to say about medicine’s most important and interesting topics. This season, we’re focused on the intersection of medicine and culture.
Today, I’m speaking with Deva Sharma. She’s an assistant professor of hematology, oncology, and transfusion medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. After a quick break, I’ll bring you our conversation about how concerns about the safety of blood from vaccinated donors are complicating patient care.
