Our blood donation rules are based on research and international policy. This change was implemented in early 2021.
In 2020 the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and state and federal governments approved a Lifeblood submission to reduce the donation postponement for donors with a higher sexual activity-based risk from 12 to three months, since the last sexual contact. Our medical experts are always reviewing the latest scientific and medical evidence. It’s been years since anyone was infected with HIV because of a blood donation. The rules around who can and can’t donate blood help to ensure that the blood supply in Australia is as safe as possible for patients. The donor questionnaire is a legal document that people must answer honestly. Can I skip the question about men who have sex with men? This is why we can’t rely on testing alone. We refer to this as a ‘window period’ – it’s a time when the infection is just starting and isn’t yet detectable. However, even this sophisticated testing is unable to detect the early presence of infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Even within declared monogamous relationships, the risk is on average 50 times higher than in heterosexual couples.
The latest information from the Kirby Institute (University of NSW) states that HIV continues to be transmitted primarily through sexual contact between men. We understand that there are different levels of risk among men who have sex with men. I’m in an exclusive relationship, why can’t I donate blood? The Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has visited this issue, and agrees that we are not being discriminatory with our deferral policy for men who have sex with men. Postponements are in place for any number of potential donors who may be more likely to be exposed to infection or present other risks to patients. No, our policy considers an assessment of risk, and does not discriminate against anyone. Is Lifeblood being discriminatory in making gay men wait 3 months to donate? We use these terms to refer to any sexual activities including vaginal, oral or anal. Some of these questions ask about ‘sexual contact’ and ‘sex’. The third section is a legal declaration for you to fill out, pertaining to specific infection risks such as sexual activity and blood exposures. These two sections are designed to identify possible medical issues in potential donors, as well as general risks of infection. The first looks at the health history of first-time donors and the second is a medical questionnaire for all donors. Our pre-donation screening includes a questionnaire made up of three sections. Our donation criteria, and questions on the donor questionnaire form, are designed to ensure that the blood collection process is as safe as possible for blood donors and patients alike. We'll keep monitoring this, and use data to inform any future recommendations to reduce the wait time further for blood and plasma.Ĭheck out our responses to frequently asked questions related to sexual activity. This is because PrEP impacts the ability of testing to pick up early HIV infection. If you choose to donate blood, you’ll still need to wait 12 months since your last dose. On a related note, if you’ve taken pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV, see if you can plan ahead to donate.įrom 10 October 2021, you’ll need to wait three months since your last dose before you can donate plasma. In the last 12 months, have you had sexual activity with a new partner who currently lives or has previously lived overseas? If ‘yes’, you may need to wait to donate depending on the level of HIV risk in your partner’s country of residence. engaged in sexual activity with someone who was found to have HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C or human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection?.engaged in sexual activity with someone who ever injected drugs not prescribed by a doctor or dentist?.had sex with a male or female sex worker?.received payment for sex in money, gifts or drugs?) been a male or female sex worker (i.e.had sex (with or without a condom) with a male who you think may have had oral or anal sex (with or without a condom) with another man?.had oral or anal sex with another man, even ‘safer sex’ using a condom (if you’re a man).
If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the following questions, you’ll need to wait 3 months before you can donate. These requirements are subject to the approval of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia’s regulatory authority on the blood and tissue sector. Your health and safety – and that of Australian patients – is our priority, which is why you must meet certain requirements every time you donate blood.