Brazil updates blood donation criteria and eligibility rules

The Brazilian Ministry of Health is implementing new criteria for blood donation starting in late September 2026, following Ordinance GM/MS nº 11.685. These updates aim to modernize hemotherapy services and expand the pool of eligible donors.

Key changes include allowing regular donors over the age of 70 to continue donating, provided they pass a medical evaluation and are in good health. The new rules also reduce waiting periods for several procedures. For instance, individuals who have received tattoos, piercings, or aesthetic treatments like Botox may donate seven days after the procedure if it was performed in a sanitary-compliant facility; otherwise, a four-month waiting period applies. For piercings in the mouth or genital area, the waiting period is four months after removal.

Additionally, the waiting period for donors who have undergone endoscopy or colonoscopy has been reduced from six to four months. Those who have had bariatric surgery can now donate after six months if they maintain a stable weight, a category that was previously considered permanently ineligible. However, individuals who have undergone a total gastrectomy remain ineligible to donate.