Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene

Emergency procedures are in place in multiple states due to Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene. >>Learn More

New FDA Guidance for Long-standing Deferral; HIV Changes

Image of New FDA Guidance for Long-standing Deferral; HIV Changes. The Food and Drug Administration has issued new guidance on blood donations, removing some long-standing deferrals. In addition to this, the FDA is also considering moving towards an individualized risk-based approach when deciding donor eligibility. These changes are related to HIV medications and those at risk for contracting HIV. (credit: Swati Agani)

The Food and Drug Administration issued new guidance in May for blood donors, removing and adjusting some long-standing deferrals. In addition, the FDA is also now moving towards an individualized risk-based approach when determining donor eligibility. The Armed Services Blood Program is reviewing this newly issued guidance and plans to implement it in the coming months.

One of the most significant changes is that the FDA now recommends “...eliminating the screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with MSM. Instead... [they are now recommending] assessing donor eligibility using the same individual risk-based questions relevant to HIV risk for every donor regardless of sex or gender,” according to the FDA announcement. Instead, guidance would shift to a three-month deferral based on recent sexual contact with new partner(s) in addition to recent high-risk sexual activity in the past three months. Donors previously deferred for positive responses to screening questions specific to MSM, may be re-assessed for blood donation.

“The Armed Services Blood Program, as well as all civilian blood collection programs, are closely regulated by the FDA. We closely review, and safely implement each guidance issued by the FDA,” explained U.S. Navy Capt. Leslie Riggs, division chief of ASBP. “This one is no different. We welcome the thoroughly researched and safe changes the FDA has provided which has the possibility to increase the donor pool. This change will provide more people with the opportunity to donate blood, and ultimately, when you donate, you can help save a life.”

The FDA ensured that safety will not be compromised, stating “In considering the available data, we believe implementation of the individual risk-based approach recommended in this guidance will maintain the current high level of safety of blood and blood components, including source plasma in the U.S.”

“Blood product safety will always be our number one priority,” said Tamara Clayton, quality assurance specialist, ASBP Division. “We are in the process of analyzing these new recommendations and will be implementing them soon. This updated guidance better reflects the current donor landscape, but more importantly, these recommendations are backed by sound research that has been conducted worldwide.”

As this deferral is being lifted, another deferral is being updated out of an abundance of caution. This deferral affects those who have taken or are taking any medication to prevent or treat HIV infection. Newly issued FDA guidance recommends a three-month deferral from the most recent dose of an oral medication, such as a short-acting antiviral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs, otherwise known as PrEP, and a two-year deferral is recommended from the most recent injected version of the medication (I.e., long-acting antiviral PrEP). A permanent deferral is in place for an individual who has ever taken any medication to treat an HIV infection.

Please get in touch with your local ASBP blood donor center if you have specific questions or concerns about your eligibility to donate.

Armed Services Blood Program

Since 1962, the Armed Services Blood Program is the official blood program of the United States military. Our mission is to provide quality blood products and support to military health care operations worldwide; from the battlefield to the local hospital, whenever and wherever needed. The ASBP collects, processes, stores, transports, and distributes blood products to service members, their families, retirees and veterans in peace and war. In an ASBP Enterprise view – Military Health Affairs, Defense Health Agency, Service Blood Programs and Combatant Commands – we operate under common goals, metrics, procedures, and work together to shape the future.

The ASBP is one of four organizations tasked with providing a safe blood supply to the nation. Our program also works closely with our civilian counterparts in times of need to maximize the availability of this national treasure.


To find out more about the ASBP or schedule an appointment to donate, please visit www.health.mil/asbp.To interact directly with ASBP staff members or get the latest news, follow us @militaryblood on Facebook and Twitter, and @usmilitaryblood on Instagram.

You also may be interested in...

Infographic
Feb 27, 2023

HIV PrEP - Daily Pill

HIV PrEP Infographic - Protect yourself and your community with HIV PrEP

Stay HIV-free with PrEP, a daily pill that keeps you testing negative. Talk to your provider about a prescription and learn more at www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html

Infographic
Feb 27, 2023

HIV PrEP - Protect Yourself

HIV PrEP Infographic - Protect yourself and your community with HIV PrEP

HIV can affect anyone, however some populations are disproportionally impacted. PrEP helps protect you AND your community. Talk to your provider about a prescription and learn more at www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html

Article
Jan 20, 2023

Donated Blood Saves Lives

Military personnel donating blood

The Military Health System needs many units of blood every day. The Armed Services Blood Program has a mission to meet that need globally, whenever, and wherever needed.

Infographic
Dec 23, 2022

National Blood Donor Month

 National Blood Donor Month

“This year over 4.5 million people will need a blood transfusion. You can help make that life-saving resource available. Find out how to donate today: https://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/index.html #NationalBloodDonorMonth #NBDM23 #ThankYou4SavingLives #CelebrateAndDonate

Infographic
Dec 23, 2022

National Blood Donor Month: Mad Cow Restrictions Lifted

 Welcome Back Lifesavers! FDA lifts vCJD/"Mad Cow" Disease Travel deferral for all of Europe.

“Donating just got easier as a major travel deferral is now fully lifted. Restrictions for vCJD, commonly referred to as ‘Mad Cow’ disease, have been lifted! These restrictions affected many within the military community stationed in Europe. You may now be eligible to donate! Learn more here: https://www.health.mil/News/Articles/2022/11/09/Mad-Cow ...

Infographic
Dec 23, 2022

National Blood Donor Month: Celebrating by Donating

 January is National Blood Donor Month. Thank You. Living. Giving. Saving Lives

“By donating blood with the Armed Services Blood Program, you can help support service members, their families, retirees, and veterans in need worldwide. Celebrate National Blood Donor Month and Donate! Find an ASBP site near you: MilitaryDonor.com #LivingGivingSavingLives #NBDM23 #ThankYou4SavingLives #CelebrateAndDonate

Infographic
Dec 23, 2022

National Blood Donor Month: Thankful for Donors

 January is National Blood Donor Month. Thank You. Living. Giving. Saving Lives

“For National Blood Donor Month, we are thankful for all blood donors and volunteers for living, giving, and saving lives in 2022. Your generosity allows the Armed Services Blood Program to complete a mission of supporting our military family worldwide with lifesaving blood donations.” Find an ASBP site near you: MilitaryDonor.com ...

Photo
Nov 9, 2022

Mad Cow Disease 2022

Graphic of blood donation from Armed Services Blood Program

Welcome back, blood donors! The Food and Drug Administration has recently updated its guidelines, and Armed Services Blood Program blood donors who were once deferred for geographic risk factors related to vCJD, commonly known as “Mad Cow” disease, or for the receipt of a blood transfusion in the U.K., France or Ireland during certain periods of time, ...

Skip subpage navigation
Refine your search
Last Updated: June 27, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery