This May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially implemented a series of individual risk-based questions that will be asked of every blood donor, regardless of their gender, sex or sexual orientation. This decision ends decades-old, discriminatory restrictions that prohibited gay and bisexual men from donating simply on the basis of their sexual orientation. As a vanguard of inclusion, the Luminis Health Blood Donor Center updated its history questionnaire accordingly to prioritize science over stigma and strengthen our vital blood supply.
“The new guidelines are a step in the right direction for medical institutions to remove systemic rules that create stigma against members of the LGBTQIA+ community. New guidelines still have restrictions on donation for individuals with active, non-monogamous sexual relationships, but it’s my hope that future updates consider the tremendous benefit of PREP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medications, and their role in preventing the spread of HIV for our communities,” said Danny Watkins, Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Luminis Health.
What does this mean?
Anyone interested in donating blood, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, must answer a new “risk-based” questionnaire that determines eligibility based on sexual history and various other factors. People who have had anal sex with one or more new sexual partners within the last three months will have to wait to donate. This means more sexually active gay and bisexual men who are in monogamous relationships no longer need to abstain from sex to donate blood.
“There is ongoing research to learn more about the effects of PrEP/PEP on blood collection, testing, and transfusion-transmitted infections,” according to Megan Frisk, Blood Bank and Blood Donor Center Manager at Luminis Health. “Until further research is conducted to assess the potential risk of transfusion-transmitted infections, donors currently taking these medications will be temporarily deferred. It is our hope that further research will quantify this risk and open our donation centers to more people. LHAAMC has provided specialized training to the staff and engaged the community on the new blood donor eligibility requirements.”
Why were these restrictions in place?
In the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, restrictions on donating blood were designed to protect the blood supply from HIV. This policy was created at a time when it was believed that most people with HIV were gay or bisexual men, and when blood screenings and testing for HIV antibodies were extremely limited.
“We welcome all members of our community who wish to donate blood or blood products. While some of these new questions may seem blunt and personally intrusive, the changes are a compromise developed by a panel of scientific experts. The goal is to strike a delicate balance between including new groups who were historically excluded due to a perceived increased risk of carrying transfusion-transmitted diseases and the paramount goal of doing everything possible based on existing scientific information and technology to keep our transfusion recipient population safe,” said Sanford H. Robbins III, M.D., Chief of Pathology at Luminis Health.
Why defer anyone from donating if all units are already tested for transfusion-transmitted infections?
There is a window period after a person becomes infected when it is not possible to detect the presence of infections like HIV and hepatitis. A donor with an early infection can unknowingly transmit a virus because even the most accurate testing methods available today cannot detect it. Our questionnaire helps assess the timeframe for potential infection and reduces the risk of transmission to a patient.
We are looking forward to welcoming new and returning donors to our growing life-saving community. For more information about the FDA’s new guidance and eligibility, please visit our website or call (443) 481-4215.
