Canada may shorten deferral for MSM blood donors

There were 70 “reinstated” donors in the first year after the policy change and 42 in the second year.

HIV-positive donations

The researchers monitored HIV rates in all blood donations from January 2010 to March 2015.

The rates of HIV-positive donations were as follows: 0.20 for 2010 (2/989,916), 0.50 for 2011 (5/995,122), 0.51 for 2012 (5/987,527), 0 (0/525,337) from January 1, 2013 to July 21, 2013 (before the policy change), 0.54 from July 22, 2013 to July 21, 2014 (5/929,656), and 0.22 from July 22, 2014 to July 21, 2015 (2/893,513).

“So absolutely no change in HIV rate following implementation of our 5-year deferral,” Dr O’Brien said.

In all, there were 7 HIV-positive donations after the policy change. Four were from male donors, and 3 were from females.

Three of the male donors (2 first-time donors, 1 repeat) denied having MSM risk factors, and 1 first-time male donor was aware he was HIV-positive at the time of donation. This man said he donated to determine if his HIV medication was working.

Two of the females were repeat donors, and 1 was a first-timer. The first-time donor did not acknowledge any MSM risk factors. One of the repeat donors had a sexual relationship with a bisexual male who was HIV-positive. The other repeat donor had multiple sexual partners, 1 of whom was known to be hepatitis C-positive.

Future policy change

Dr O’Brien noted that the LGBTQ community in Canada has advocated abolishing the deferral period for MSM blood donors or changing to a risk-based policy that would allow more individuals with MSM history to donate blood.

She said the combined blood services in Canada—Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec—are now considering a 12-month deferral period for individuals with MSM history.

“We’re pretty sure we’re going to go ahead,” she noted.

However, the groups must submit a policy request to Health Canada, which will ultimately make the decision.

*Data in the abstract differ from data presented at the meeting.