Australia lifts blood, plasma donation ban for gay men
Summary
Australia will start allowing sexually active gay and bisexual men to donate blood and plasma by lifting previous restrictions. The change, set to begin next month, aims to increase the supply of plasma and aligns with similar updates in the UK and US.Key Facts
- Australia will lift the ban next month, allowing more people to donate blood and plasma.
- Old rules mostly banned sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating.
- Australia is the first country to remove all sexual activity-based restrictions on plasma donation.
- The changes will enlarge the donor pool by an estimated 625,000 people.
- New rules mean most people in stable relationships of six months or more can donate, regardless of gender or sexuality.
- Donors will now be asked if they had anal sex with new or multiple partners.
- People taking HIV prevention drug PrEP can donate plasma but not blood.
- Lifeblood states the new rules won't affect the safety of blood and plasma supplies.
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