New blood donor rule for gay men

Gay men now have to wait three months after a sexual encounter before donating blood.

That wait – the blood deferral period – was yesterday reduced from 12 months.

Sex workers and those who have lived in a country with the widespread presence of HIV infection have also had their deferral periods reduced to three months.

The Blood Service (NZBS) says the changes are in line with other countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.

Auckland Pride director Max Tweedie said the changes were long overdue.

“Now [NZBS] is at that perfect position where it’s balancing risk but also ensuring that rules around blood donation don’t discriminate against our community.”

Blood cannot be donated for three months after any anal or oral sex between two men, with or without a condom, or after last taking the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).”

People living with HIV, even if they are on antiretroviral treatment and have an undetectable viral load, cannot give blood.

Those with hepatitis B or hepatitis C, even if successfully treated or those who have injected drugs not prescribed by a doctor or health professional also cannot give blood.

Sexual partners of these people will be deferred for three months.

Aids Foundation fellow and University of Auckland’s Dr Peter Saxton said it was “absolutely” the right decision for NZBS to make.

“Importantly, it follows the international evidence that reducing the deferral won’t increase the risk to blood recipients.”

While the announcement was welcome, Tweedie said the focus should be shifted from discriminating against gay and bisexual men giving blood to ending HIV transmission.

“The solution here isn’t necessarily changing blood rules but, rather, investing in ending an epidemic for the Rainbow Community that has lasted for almost now 40 years.”

NZBS said scientific research showed a three-month deferral allowed current testing systems to safely accommodate the window between a virus being contracted and it being detectable.