In Switzerland, restrictions on blood donation for gays have been lifted

Since November 1, the medical authorities of Switzerland have lifted restrictions on blood donation for homosexual men. Previously, they could become donors only after 12 months had passed since the date of the last same-sex contact. Now the same rules will be applied to them as to all other donors – however, they are also quite strict.

The “12-month rule” was introduced in Switzerland for gay donors in 2017. Before that, men who have sexual contact with men were completely prohibited from donating blood. Such concern arose in the 1980s with the beginning of the HIV epidemic: gays were considered a risk group until the early 2000s, when the epidemic went beyond vulnerable groups and affected all segments of the population.

From November 1, gay donors in Switzerland will be subject to the same rules as everyone else. They remain very strict: a person can donate blood no earlier than 4 months after the first sexual contact with a new partner, regardless of his or her gender.

Restrictions on blood donation for gays in Europe have already been lifted by Spain, Italy and France. Specialists emphasize that heterosexual people can also be carriers of infections, and any donor blood is tested for HIV and other infections, as well as quarantine.