Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service > Donating Blood > Can I Donate?

Can I Donate?

Please note the following eligibility questions are intended as guidance only. Additional criteria may apply, please refer to the information later on this page or contact us for more details.

How old do I need to be to donate?

You can become a blood donor between your 17th and 66th birthday.

If you're aged 16, you can register with the Blood Transfusion Service, and if you're already a regular donor aged 66 or over and in good health, you can keep donating.

What if I'm waiting for test results from my doctor?

Unfortunately, you won't be eligible to give blood until you've received your test results.

If you think your results could affect your eligibility to give blood, please get in touch.

What if I visited an area that has a risk of catching malaria?

Unfortunately, you'll have to wait 12 months before you can give blood.

What if I have had cancer, heart disease or a stroke?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood.

What if I have given birth in the last nine months, or I'm currently pregnant?

We'd love to welcome you six months after your baby is born.

What if I've recently had a tattoo or a piercing?

You'll need to wait 4 months after a tattoo or piercing before you can give blood.

What if I'd recently had an endoscopy or colonoscopy?

You'll need to wait 4 months after your investigation before you can give blood.

What if I'd received a blood transfusion after 1st January 1980?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood if you have received (or think you might have received) a blood transfusion since 1980.

To all our current and prospective donors, we thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Travel

For the most up to date information, please search under country name at this link: Geographical Disease Risk Index

Malaria

If you have visited any malarial area please wait for 12 months after your return before donating blood. If you have ever been resident in a malarial area for 6 months or more, and at least 6 months have passed since leaving the area, we can offer you a test for malarial antibody. If it is negative you may then donate. If you have had malaria diagnosed in the past you may donate if:

It is 3 years since completing anti-malarial therapy and
All symptoms caused by malaria have resolved and
Our test for malarial antibody is negative

West Nile Virus

West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus, which causes a wide spectrum of infection. This may range from no or minimal symptoms to death. It is geographically widespread, including North America and areas in Europe. It has caused illness and death post transfusion and post transplantation of tissues and organs. It is spread by mosquitoes and so is more prevalent at times of the year when mosquitoes are active. West Nile Virus endemic areas include:

Europe: Croatia, France, Monaco, Greece and Greek Islands, Hungary, Israel, Italy including Sardinia and Sicily, Kosovo, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, parts of Russia, Serbia, Turkey
Africa: Algeria, Tunisia
America: all regions of the USA except Hawaii, Alaska and US Virgin Islands
Canada: all regions

Please note that areas affected by WNV may change on a frequent basis. For the most up to date information, please search under country name at this link: Geographical Disease Risk Index If you have travelled to a WNV area between 1st May and 30th November provided you have neither symptoms or evidence of infection you can donate 28 days after you return to Northern Ireland.

Chagas Disease (South American Trypanosomiasis)

Chagas disease is caused by infection with a protozoal parasite, trypanosoma cruzi. It is a persistent infection that is known to be transmitted by transfusion. The insect that passes the infection on is only common in rural areas. It is very common in parts of South or Central America and is often symptomless. You must not donate if:

You were born in South or Central America, or your mother was born in South or Central America. However in these cases we can offer a T.cruzi antibody test.
You have lived and/or worked in rural subsistence farming communities in these countries for a continuous period of 4 weeks or more

We may be able to accept you as a donor if at least 6 months have passed following the date of last exposure, provided a test for T.cruzi antibody is negative. Short term trips such as camping or trekking in the jungle in South or Central America are usually not considered of high enough risk to warrant exclusion.