As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Jerome Adams is speaking out about getting vaccinated and how survivors of the virus can help researchers.

Adams is part of a national campaign called “The Fight Is In Us’, urging COVID-19 survivors to donate their convalescent plasma. If you’ve recovered from COVID-19, the FDA says you have antibodies, and giving that to people in the hospital with the virus may help them recover.

“Our hospital beds are full, our hospital providers are overwhelmed and any tool we can give them to help decrease hospital stays and help people get home safely is a gift we should all think about giving this holiday season,” Adams said.

One question Adams says they’ve been getting is, can you donate convalescent plasma if you’ve received the vaccine? Adams says Dr. Anthony Fauci told him it is perfectly fine. However, a spokesperson for Vitalant says those who have gotten the vaccine currently can’t donate convalescent plasma at their facility. However, they are “working with the FDA to allow people who’ve already had COVID-19, and are subsequently vaccinated, to donate convalescent plasma.”

Adams is also asking that the public have confidence in the researchers who created the vaccine and says he’s making sure minority communities stay informed.

“We also have to help them understand that this vaccine was developed not with haste, not by cutting corners but with a platform that’s been around for over a decade and with involvement of people of color from the scientists, to the reviewer, to the study participant point of view,” Adams said.

If you have recovered from COVID-19 and want to donate your convalescent plasma, contact Vitalant by clicking here to visit its website or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).