CBS to Seek Regulatory Approval to Remove Deferral Period for MSM Blood Donors
June 28, 2021
Canadian Blood Services (CBS) intends to make a submission to Health Canada recommending the removal of a deferral period for men who have sex with men (MSM) by the end of 2021, the agency
announced last week. Current donor eligibility criteria allow MSM to give blood if it has been more than three months since their last sexual contact with a man. If approved by Health Canada, the revised blood donor eligibility process would use sexual behavior-based screening for all donors.
CBS previously requested a change in source plasma eligibility criteria, a process that began in 2019. If approved, some gay, bisexual and other MSM will be able to donate plasma at select centers beginning this fall.