If you have received, or think you may have received, a blood transfusion since 1st January 1980, you will not be able to give blood. This measure was introduced in 2004 by the UK Blood Transfusion Services.
This is just one of a range of measures designed to minimise the risk of passing variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD) through the population.
The chance of any individual contracting vCJD from a blood transfusion is already very small. Experts hope that these additional safety measures will help eradicate vCJD from the UK population.
- You can still give blood if you received a blood transfusion in the UK before 1980.
- If you had a transfusion before 1996 and have not been tested for hepatitis C, speak to your GP about getting tested
- If you received blood in another country before 1980 please contact us for advice.
- You may be eligible if your own blood was given back to you (autologous transfusion).
If you would like to discuss any of the above, get in touch on 0345 90 90 999
Currently a blood donor? Let us know if these criteria affect you