The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will ease rules that prevent blood donations from some gay and bisexual men.
Previously, donors had to wait a year from their last sexual encounter with a man to be eligible. Now they must wait only three months. Women who have had sex with a man who has had sex with another man have now had the same restrictions lifted.
People who have recently been tattooed or received a piercing now only must wait three months vs. the one-year prior waiting period. The agency also reduced the deferral period for those who have traveled to malaria-endemic areas.
The new rules take effect immediately and the FDA said it will keep recommendations even after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
