WHO Says ‘No’ to Convalescent Plasma for Nonsevere COVID-19

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended against the use of convalescent plasma for treating patients with nonsevere COVID-19 and said it should only be given within the context of clinical trials for severe and critical coronavirus patients.

A review of 16 different trials that included 16,236 COVID-19 patients with nonsevere, severe and critical COVID-19 infection found that the plasma did not improve survival or reduce the need for supplemental oxygen for nonsevere patients, a WHO panel found.

But the WHO said the available evidence is less certain for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients and suggested trials continue for this subgroup.