How do UK blood donation regulations compare to other countries?
Every country with a blood service operates some regulations and these should be based on evidence and the particular epidemiology and testing methods in that country. This is why policies can vary from country to country.
A 2009 European survey of 23 blood services reported that 20 countries defer men who have sex with men (MSM) permanently (or since 1977) and three countries (Latvia, Spain and Italy) reported that they have fixed period deferrals in place. In Latvia, individual assessments are used to see if a deferral is required. In Spain, a deferral of at least six months operates after a change of partner whatever the sexuality, with a permanent exclusion for individuals who have more than one sexual partner. In Italy, a deferral of four months from the risk behaviour operates for people with multiple partners or those who have changed their regular partner. Hungary and Sweden have recently joined the EU countries with 12 month deferrals.
In Australia, Argentina and Japan, a 12 month deferral operates, and in South Africa the deferral period is six months. A review in New Zealand in 2008 led to the deferral period being reduced from 10 to five years after the last relevant sexual contact. In the USA and Canada, MSM are permanently banned from donating blood.