Brazil Ministry of Health updates blood donation rules

The Brazilian Ministry of Health has issued new regulations (Ordinance GM/MS nº 11.685/2026) to update blood donation criteria, set to take effect in late September or October. The changes aim to expand the donor pool and reduce waiting periods following various medical and aesthetic procedures.

Key updates include reducing the waiting period for tattoos and piercings from six months to four. If the procedure was performed in a facility with a valid sanitary permit, the waiting period can be as short as seven days. Similarly, the interval after endoscopies or colonoscopies will drop from six to four months. For those recovering from tuberculosis, the required waiting period will decrease from five years to two years post-cure. Additionally, individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery may be eligible to donate after six months of stable weight.

The new rules also address sexual health and age. The waiting period after sexual contact with casual or unknown partners will decrease from 12 to four months. Regular donors who are over 70 years old will be permitted to continue donating, provided they remain healthy and meet clinical assessments.

Technological advancements, such as the NAT Plus exam developed by Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, will allow for more efficient screening of HIV, hepatitis, and malaria, potentially reducing the waiting period for those exposed to malaria-endemic areas to just 30 days. The regulations also extend the shelf life of platelet concentrates from five to seven days.