US well being officers on Friday proposed additional easing of AIDS-era restrictions on blood donations by homosexual and bisexual males.
Underneath the present coverage, homosexual and bisexual males, together with these in monogamous relationships, should abstain from intercourse for 3 months so as to donate blood.
The brand new proposed Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines would take away the 90-day requirement in favor of a person danger evaluation.
All blood donors are examined for HIV, however the virus could not all the time present up instantly when somebody is taking pre-exposure prophylactic treatment.
On the top of the AIDS epidemic within the 1980s, the FDA imposed a lifetime ban on homosexual males donating blood to stop the unfold of the HIV virus via blood merchandise.
That was lifted in 2015, however homosexual and bisexual males needed to chorus from sexual relations for not less than a yr to donate blood.
This era was shortened to the present three months in April 2020 because of blood shortages within the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But it surely nonetheless prevented males in monogamous relationships from donating blood except they abstained from intercourse for 90 days.
Underneath the brand new tips, all potential blood donors could be requested in a questionnaire whether or not they had new or a number of sexual companions previously three months.
Potential blood donors are eligible in the event that they haven’t had anal intercourse with new or a number of intercourse companions previously three months. Those that have will likely be put aside for a donation.
The FDA mentioned individuals who have examined constructive for HIV or are taking treatment to deal with HIV an infection would stay barred from donating blood.
“Sustaining a secure and ample provide of blood and blood merchandise in america is of the utmost significance to the FDA,” FDA Commissioner Robert Califf mentioned in an announcement.
“This proposal for a person danger evaluation, no matter gender or sexual orientation, will enable us to proceed utilizing the perfect science to take action,” Califf mentioned in an announcement.
The FDA mentioned the brand new guideline is in keeping with related guidelines in place in Canada and the UK.
Congressional Equality Caucus Chairman Mark Pocan welcomed the revised FDA coverage.
“This is a crucial step ahead in guaranteeing our blood donation tips are primarily based on science and aren’t stigmatized towards particular communities,” Pocan mentioned.
“I sit up for taking a better take a look at the proposed tips as soon as they’re launched and dealing with the FDA to make sure any pointless roadblocks are eliminated.”
The FDA steering will obtain public remark for 60 days, after which will probably be reviewed and finalized.