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 for those receiving transfusions in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory requirements, 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:
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
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 |
| Afghanistan, Tajikistan and other malaria-endemic areas, less than 5 consecutive years | 12 months deferral upon return |
| Afghanistan, Tajikistan and other malaria-endemic areas, more than 5 consecutive years | 3 years deferral upon return |
| Iraq, Afghanistan and other leishmania-endemic areas | 12 months deferral upon return |
United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands, Isle of Man) from January 1980 - December 1996 for a cumulative time of 3 months, or more.
Additionally, a cumulative time of five years or greater in Europe from 1980-present. Time spent in UK is included but only between 1980-1996. | Indefinite deferral |
| Belgium, Netherlands (Holland) or Germany from January 1980 - December 1990 for a cumulative time of 6 months or more OR from January 1980 – present for a cumulative time of 5 years or more | Indefinite deferral |
| Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Portugal or Saudi Arabia from January 1980 – December 1996 for a cumulative time of 6 months or more OR from January 1980 – present for a cumulative time of 5 years or more | Indefinite deferral |
| Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxemborg, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands (Holland), Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and Yugoslavia from January 1980 – present for a cumulative time of 5 years or more | Indefinite deferral |
| North of Seoul, Korea (the 37.7 parallel) for less than 5 consecutive years | 2 year deferral upon return |
| North of Seoul, Korea (the 37.7 parallel) for 5 consecutive years or more | 3 year deferral upon 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 or permanent make-up if 1) applied using sterile needles and one time use ink and 2) in a state-regulated entity in one of the following states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont , Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
|
| Acupuncture | 12 months after having acupuncture.
Exception: If Acupuncture was performed by a licensed provider, using single-use equipment under aseptic conditions, and the underlying condition is not cause for deferral, 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 center for 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 |