Blood donation ban for gay men could end this year as Health Canada OKs change

28 Apr 2022 | Health | 210 |
Blood donation ban for gay men could end this year as Health Canada OKs change

Health Canada has given Canadian Blood Services the green light to lift specific restrictions on blood donations from men who have sex with men.

The federal regulator said in a news release Thursday it has now authorized a request from Canadian Blood Services to lift the restrictions – a three-month blanket donor deferral period for all sexually active men who have sex with men.

The move officially greenlights a policy change by the blood service that officials said is expected by Sept. 30, 2022.

Instead, donors will be screened regardless of gender or sexuality, for high-risk sexual behaviours.

“Under the new screening approach, Canadian Blood Services will introduce a sexual behaviour-based donor-screening questionnaire that will apply to all donors of blood and plasma,” Health Canada said.

More to come.

by Global News