FDA eases restrictions on gay blood donors amid 'urgent need' [View all]

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: NBC News

CORONAVIRUS

FDA eases restrictions on gay blood donors amid 'urgent need'

The decision to reduce the donation deferral period for men who have sex with men comes as blood drives are being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 2, 2020, 1:39 PM EDT
By Tim Fitzsimons

Amid what it's calling an "urgent need for blood," the Food and Drug Administration revised its blood donor guidelines on Thursday, significantly easing the restrictions on men who have sex with men.

The new guidelines reduce the donation deferral period for sexually active gay and bisexual men from 12 months to three, meaning these otherwise healthy men will now have to abstain from same-sex sexual activity for 90 days before they are eligible to donate blood.

Other 12-month deferral periods have also been shortened under the new guidelines, including those for people who have traveled to areas with certain endemic diseases, those who have engaged in injection drug use and people who have participated in commercial sex work.

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Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/fda-reduces-restrictions-gay-blood-donors-amid-urgent-need-n1175141

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Hat tip, Joe.My.God:

FDA Reduces Restrictions On Gay Male Blood Donors

https://www.joemygod.com/2020/04/fda-reduces-restrictions-on-gay-male-blood-donors/

NEW guidance from @US_FDA today on blood donor eligibility to help address the urgent need to #GiveBlood during #COVID19 without compromising the safety of the blood supply.

More: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-provides-updated-guidance-address-urgent-need-blood-during-pandemic …

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