Who is ineligible to give blood

Learn how blood donations help those affected by Sickle Cell Disease. Acceptable as long as the skin over the vein to be used to collect blood is not affected. If the skin disease has become infected, wait until the infection has cleared before donating. Taking antibiotics to control acne does not disqualify you from donating. It is not necessarily surgery but the underlying condition that precipitated the surgery that requires evaluation before donation.

Evaluation is on a case by case basis. Wait 3 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused.

Cosmetic tattoos including microblading of eyebrows only applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and ink that is not reused is acceptable. You can be exposed to malaria through travel and travel in some areas can sometimes defer donors.

Come prepared to your donation process with your travel details when you donate. Persons who have spent long periods of time in countries where "mad cow disease" is found are not eligible to donate. Learn more about vCJD and donation. If you have active tuberculosis or are being treated for active tuberculosis you should not donate.

Acceptable if you have a positive skin test or blood test, but no active tuberculosis and are NOT taking antibiotics. If you are receiving antibiotics for a positive TB skin test or blood test only or if you are being treated for a tuberculosis infection, wait until treatment is successfully completed before donating. You must weigh at least lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety. Students who donate at high school drives and donors 18 years of age or younger must also meet additional height and weight requirements for whole blood donation applies to girls shorter than 5'6" and boys shorter than 5'.

Blood volume is determined by body weight and height. Individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood given with whole blood donation. You can discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian.

If you have been diagnosed with Zika virus infection, wait more than days after your symptoms resolve to donate. Eligibility Requirements. Eligibility Criteria Alphabetical Listing. Eligibility Criteria: Alphabetical. Donors who have undergone acupuncture treatments are acceptable. In-Depth Discussion of Age and Blood Donation Those younger than age 17 are almost always legal minors not yet of the age of majority who cannot give consent by themselves to donate blood.

Birth Control. Women on oral contraceptives or using other forms of birth control are eligible to donate. Bleeding Condition. For the same reason, you should not donate if you are taking any "blood thinner" such as: Atrixa fondaparinux Coumadin warfarin Eliquis apixaban Fragmin dalteparin Heparin Jantoven warfarin Lovenox enoxaparin Pradaxa dabigatran Savaysa edoxaban Warfilone warfarin Xarelto rivaroxaban.

Blood Pressure, High. Blood Pressure, Low. Blood Transfusion. Wait for 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person in the United States. Chronic Illnesses. Cold, Flu. If you ever received a dura mater brain covering transplant you are not eligible to donate.

If you received an injection of cadaveric pituitary human growth hormone hGH you cannot donate. Human cadaveric pituitary-derived hGH was available in the U. Growth hormone received after is acceptable. Dental Procedures and Oral Surgery. Diabetics who are well controlled on insulin or oral medications are eligible to donate. Donation Intervals.

Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood standard donations. Wait at least 7 days between platelet pheresis donations. Wait at least 16 weeks between Power Red automated donations. Ebola Virus. You are not eligible to donate if you have ever had Ebola virus infection or disease. Heart Disease. Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina. Wait at least 6 months following a heart attack. Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty. Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder. Hemochromatosis Hereditary.

Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count. Hepatitis, Jaundice. Hepatitis Exposure. Hypertension, High Blood Pressure. See "Blood Pressure, High" section above. Immunization, Vaccination.

Wait 2 weeks if you were vaccinated with a COVID vaccine but do not know if it was a non-replicating, inactivated, RNA based vaccine or a live attenuated vaccine. Smallpox vaccination and did not develop complications Wait 8 weeks 56 days from the date of having a smallpox vaccination as long as you have had no complications. Complications may include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination.

Smallpox vaccination and developed complications Wait 14 days after all vaccine complications have resolved or 8 weeks 56 days from the date of having had the smallpox vaccination whichever is the longer period of time. Smallpox vaccination — close contact with someone who has had the smallpox vaccine in the last eight weeks and you did not develop any skin lesions or other symptoms.

Eligible to donate. Smallpox vaccination — close contact with someone who has had the vaccine in the last eight weeks and you have since developed skin lesions or symptoms. Wait 8 weeks 56 days from the date of the first skin lesion or sore. Complications may include skin reactions or general illness related to the exposure. Those who have had infections with Chagas Disease or Leishmaniasis are not eligible to donate.

Intravenous Drug Use. See: Hepatitis. Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria. Wait 3 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found. Wait 3 years after living more than 5 years in a country or countries where malaria is found. An additional waiting period of 3 years may be required if you have traveled to an area where malaria is found if you have not lived a consecutive 3 years in a country or countries where malaria is not found.

If, in the past 3 years, you have been outside the United States or Canada: What countries did you visit? Where did you travel while in this country?

Did you leave the city or resort at any time? Media Contact X. Donate Blood Become a Donor. Can I donate blood? Age Matters You may donate if you are at least 17 years old 16 years old with written consent from parent or legal guardian , weigh at least pounds, and be in good health. Donors age 76 and older can continue to donate blood if they meet all eligibility criteria and present a physician's letter allowing them to donate, once at the first donation after reaching their 76 th birthday.

In the absence of a letter from their physician, they must be cleared by an NYBC medical director at each donation. Temporary Reasons Condition Length of time before you can give blood Not feeling well for any reason until symptoms are over Cold, sore throat, respiratory infection, flu until 3 days after symptoms are over Travel to an area of the world where malaria is a problem 3 months after return Certain cases of heart disease contact us for medical eligibility at Ears, nose or skin piercing 3 months after procedure unless done under sterile conditions Tattoos Donors who receive tattoos in New York State are deferred from donating for 3 months unless it was applied in New Jersey at a licensed tattoo parlor, in which case you can donate immediately.

The reasons for not being eligible to donate blood may change at any time. Live chat by BoldChat. English Spanish. If you were unable to donate due to low iron, you may still be able to donate in the future. The Red Cross recommends taking steps to help increase your iron level.

You may be deferred from donating blood or platelets if you have lived in or traveled to a malaria-risk country in the past three years. This list is not complete. The majority of donor eligibility rules are specified by the Food and Drug Administration for every collection center in the country. Other rules are determined by the medical professionals at specific blood centers, or with other regulatory bodies.

Therefore, rules may differ between programs. Donor eligibility rules are intended to protect the health and safety of the donor as well as the patient who will receive the transfusion.

The criteria listed are provided as guidelines to assist you in determining whether you may be eligible to be a blood donor. The final determination of eligibility is made at the time of donation.

There may have been some changes to these criteria since the last revision date. The most up-to-date eligibility information can be obtained by contacting the Donor Client Support Center at