Health Canada has given Canadian Blood Services the green light to lift specific restrictions on blood donations from men who have sex with men.
The federal regulator said in a news release Thursday it has now authorized a request from Canadian Blood Services to lift the restrictions – a three-month blanket donor deferral period for all sexually active men who have sex with men.
The move officially greenlights a policy change by the blood service that officials said is expected by Sept. 30, 2022.
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Instead, donors will be screened regardless of gender or sexuality, for high-risk sexual behaviours.
“Under the new screening approach, Canadian Blood Services will introduce a sexual behaviour-based donor-screening questionnaire that will apply to all donors of blood and plasma,” Health Canada said.
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More to come.
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