Most healthy adults are eligible to give blood, however, there are some reasons a person may be deferred from donating — temporarily, indefinitely, or permanently. Deferral criteria have been established for the protection of those donating and those receiving transfusions in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, AABB standards, and Department of Defense (DoD) policies. A temporary deferral should not discourage donors from coming back. We always need donors!
In general, to donate blood you should:
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
- Be at least 17 years of age (age may vary by state, contact your local ASBP blood donor center for details)
- Have been feeling well for at least three days
- Be well hydrated
- Have eaten something prior to donating
The blood donor travel-related deferral criteria do not apply to organ and bone marrow/hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) donation. Those ineligible to donate blood due to travel to disease-prevalent areas may still be eligible to donate organs and bone marrow. Visit the
Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network for information on becoming an organ donor and the
C.W. Bill Young Department of Defense Marrow Donor Program to learn how to join the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry – yet another way to save a life!
There are some specific conditions and activities that may prevent a potential donor from being eligible to donate. One reason is travel to areas where illnesses are or have been prevalent. Though most travelers will not become ill, there is a period of time where a traveler may be infected, but not display symptoms. To ensure the health of blood recipients, travelers are deferred from donating until the window where symptoms may appear has passed. See the table below for specific countries of interest.
| Country/Region | Donation Restriction |
| Iraq, Afghanistan and other malaria-endemic areas, less than 5 consecutive years | 12 months deferral upon return |
| Iraq, Afghanistan and other malaria-endemic areas, more than 5 consecutive years | 3 years deferral upon return |
| England from January 1980 - December 1996 for greater than 3 months (cumulative) | Deferred from donating indefinitely |
| Europe from January 1980 - December 1996 for greater than 6 months (cumulative) | Deferred from donating indefinitely |
| Europe from January 1980 – present for greater than 5 years (cumulative) | Deferred from donating indefinitely |
| North of Seoul, Korea (the 37.7 parallel) for less than 5 years (cumulative) | Deferred for 2 years following return |
| North of Seoul, Korea (the 37.7 parallel) for more than 5 years (cumulative) | Deferred for 3 years following return |
| Kuwait | There is no deferral for this travel |
| Qatar | There is no deferral for this travel |
| Issue/Condition | Donation Restriction |
| Previous Donation | 8 weeks after last whole blood donation. Please contact your
local ASBP blood donor center. |
| Piercing, Brand, Tattoo and Permanent Make-up | 12 months after getting the piercing, brand, tattoo or permanent make-up.
Exceptions:
1) There is no deferral for ear piercings performed using sterile, single-use equipment.
2) Some donors may be eligible to donate one week after adequate healing of the tattoo if applied in a state- regulated facility with sterile needles and single-use inks.
Please contact your local ASBP blood donor center for more details.
|
| Acupuncture | 12 months after having acupuncture.
Exception: If Acupuncture was performed by a physician using sterile, single-use equipment, you may be eligible to donate. Please contact your local ASBP blood donor center for more details. |
| Recent Immunizations | Some immunizations do not restrict your ability to donate while others carry up to a 12-month deferral. Contact your local ASBP blood donor center for details on the deferral period for a particular immunization. |
| Medications | Most medications do not disqualify donation. Contact your local ASBP blood donor center for details about deferral periods for a specific medication. |
| Medical Conditions | Certain medical conditions may restrict your ability to donate for a short or extended period. Contact your local ASBP blood donor centerfor details about deferral periods for a specific condition. |
| Pregnancy | Deferred until 6 weeks after the end of the pregnancy. |
| Cold or Flu | Eligible to donate once you have been feeling well for 3 days. |
| Blood Transfusion | 12 months following transfusion |
HIV Risk
- Use of illegal or street drugs by needle, even once
- Taking money or drugs for sex since 1977
- Male to male sexual contact, even once, since 1977
- Ongoing treatment with clotting factor concentrates for hemophilia or similar blood clotting disorders.
| Permanent deferral |
HIV Risk
- Sexual contact with anyone at risk for AIDS
| 12 months after the contact |
| Positive HIV Test | Permanent deferral |
| Viral Hepatitis at age 11 or over | Permanent deferral |
| Positive Hepatitis Test | Permanent deferral |
| Syphilis or gonorrhea | Deferred 12 months after completion of treatment |