As of March 16, there will no longer be a distinction between homosexuals and heterosexuals in the field of blood donation. The French government has decided to remove any notion of sexual orientation to put an end to “discrimination”.
- From March 16, sexual orientation will no longer be mentioned in the questionnaire previously completed before blood donation.
- Blood donation will be open to homosexuals without a period of abstinence.
- Donors should specify whether they are taking treatment for pre- or post-exposure HIV prophylaxis.
For several months, blood supplies have been low due to the health crisis. Faced with this alarming situation, French Blood Establishment (EFS) continues to call on the French to donate blood. Because yes, “it is possible to donate blood after an injection of vaccine against Covid-19, without any adjournment period to respect”. On January 11, the Minister of Health announced good news, which could encourage several citizens to donate blood in the coming months.
The disappearance of the reference to sexual orientation
As of March 16, the sexual orientation of donors will no longer be taken into account. “The government is continuing its commitment to non-discrimination in the field of blood donation, and confirms the disappearance of the reference to sexual orientation in the selection criteria for candidates for donation”, can we read in a press release from the Ministry of Health.
In other words, there will be “no more reference to sexual orientation” in the questionnaires prior to blood donation, and “everyone will arrive as a donor individual”, specified Jérôme Salomon during a press briefing on January 11. “The extreme vigilance of the health authorities allows an evolution of the conditions of access to blood donation”, he continued. According to the Director General of Health, no increase in the risk of HIV transmission by transfusion will be observed after the implementation of this measure because “This level of risk has been falling steadily for decades.”
On TwitterOlivier Véran indicated that “we are ending an inequality that was no longer justified”. As a reminder, so far, “men who have sex with men” can donate blood but they must respect a period of abstinence of four months before they can do so.
An additional criterion in the questionnaire
According to the Ministry of Health, a criterion will be added to the questionnaire completed by donors. The latter must specify whether they are taking treatment for pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis to HIV. This will lead “to an adjournment of the candidate for a period of 4 months from the last intake of the treatment”.
Donors will also have to answer questions aimed at detecting any risky individual behavior (sex with several partners, taking drugs, etc.). “These are questions donors are already used to”said Jérôme Salomon.
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