"More lives saved": from September 1st, it will be possible to give blood more often

Several eligibility criteria for blood donation are being relaxed, with the aim of increasing donations, which are often lacking.

This is the good news of the new school year. After the summer holidays, when blood donations are lower, some criteria for donating blood are being relaxed. These changes will allow " more people to participate in this act of solidarity. More inclusiveness, more donors, more lives saved," rejoices the French Blood Establishment (EFS) .

The first of these changes concerns the waiting period after getting a tattoo or piercing. Until now, you had to wait four months before being able to donate blood. But as of September 1st, this waiting period has been shortened to two months. The second change concerns the waiting period for donating blood after certain invasive medical procedures: acupuncture, mesotherapy, varicose vein sclerosis, or endoscopy with a flexible instrument. This waiting period, previously four months, has also been reduced to two months.

These changes are made possible " thanks to improved screening tests" that can detect certain viruses such as hepatitis C, which can be transmitted (rarely) through contact with contaminated blood via needles. " The result: faster detection, a shorter risk period, and therefore reduced waiting times without compromising on safety," the EFS welcomes.

A third change is to remove the contraindication for blood donation after a dental implant with bone substitute. The materials used in this procedure are now "virally inactivated," meaning there is "no risk of transmitting infection," the EFS specifies. " Remember to ask your dentist about the nature of your implant before donating," the EFS nevertheless recommends.

Finally, the fourth and final change concerns people with genetic hemochromatosis, a common disease whose treatment relies on regular bloodletting. Starting September 1, they will be able to "donate directly at blood drives or at donation centers, without having to first perform five bloodlettings in a hospital center" as was the case until now.

These changes will increase the number of donations, as 10,000 are needed each day to treat approximately 1 million people, following an accident, for surgery, or for cancer patients. To find out if you are eligible to donate blood, a test is available on the EFS website.