Blood donation

Verified 28 December 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

What are the conditions for donating blood? You must be of age and meet certain medical criteria to protect the donor and the recipient. A pre-donation interview is used to verify that there is no contraindication and that a minimum delay between 2 donations has been respected. Donating blood is a voluntary act that is not paid. In principle, a minor or a person aged 71 and over cannot make this donation except, for example, in an emergency. We'll lay out the regulations for you.

A whole blood donation collects three essential components to make blood products for patients: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. It is also possible to donate only plasma or platelets.

The whole blood donation is used for blood transfusions and medical research.

It is done while lying down and under medical supervision.

The amount of blood withdrawn depends on your weight and height.

Please note

The plasma donation allows to collect 2 to 4 times more plasma than during a blood donation. It allows transfusion or the manufacture of drugs.

The platelet donation blood cells are used in particular to treat certain cancers, including leukemia. Platelets help prevent life-threatening bleeding.  

Health conditions to be fulfilled

To donate blood, you must be healthy and weigh at least 50 kg.

You may be excluded from donating blood for medical contraindications, but you cannot be excluded because of your sexual orientation.

VYou can't donate blood in particular if you are in any of the following :

  • You have had a transfusion and/or transplant, regardless of the date
  • You have been in the UK for at least 1 year cumulatively between 1980 and 1996
  • You could be passing on a bacterium, virus or parasite that causes disease through your blood
  • You may pass on a viral infection through sexual contact
  • You're pregnant.

Other criteria are required (e.g. not having had an intravenous injection of narcotics), you can test your ability to give by meeting a questionnaire.

Pre-donation questionnaire

Age condition

The type of donation you can make varies according to your age:

Tableau - Donor age limits for a donation

Age

Nature of donation

Under 18

No donation except in case of emergency and with the consent of the minor and his parents

From 18 to 65 years of age

Any type of donation is allowed. However, from age 50, granulocyte donation (a type of white blood cell) is no longer allowed.

After 60 years

The 1er donation shall be subject to authorization by the doctor responsible for taking the sample

From 65 years of age

Only the donation of whole blood is authorized, with the authorization of the doctor

71 years and older

No donation is allowed, except in exceptional cases (rare blood)

Condition specific to the adult under legal protection (guardianship, curatorship...)

The prohibition on blood donation applies only to persons who are subject to a legal protection measure with representation in the person.

Thus, any person in trusteeship (including in fortified curatorship) can donate blood.

This is not the case for people in guardianship.

Donating blood requires a 3-step procedure.

Before sampling

A questionnaire is given to you to prepare thepre-maintenance. Administrative formalities are completed (e.g. verification of your identity).

During the pre-donation interview, the medical profession determines whether or not your state of health allows you to donate blood. So he checks that there is no contraindication and that you can support this donation. The donation lasts for a variable length of time depending on whether you are donating blood, plasma or platelets.

This interview is confidential.

Please note

You are advised to have eaten a balanced diet, drink water and fruit juices before and avoid alcoholic beverages in the hours before sampling.

During sampling

Your blood is collected using sterile, single-use equipment.

At the time of collection, a document is given to you with a telephone number of the establishment and the person to be contacted for any information that may be of interest to the collection doctor.

After sampling

You are advised to take a short rest, under medical supervision. A light snack is offered by the collection center. Remember to hydrate as well.

It is important to report any missed details during the pre-interview within hours and up to 15 days after blood collection.

Allabnormality detected during your blood test will be reported.

Tableau - Duration of sampling according to type of sampling

Type of donation

Duration

Whole blood donation

8 to 10 minutes of sampling

Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour (medical interview, rest and snack)

Plasma donation

Maximum 1 hour of sampling

From your arrival at the donation house to your departure, it takes about 1 hour 30 minutes

Platelet donation

1 hour 30 minutes

From your arrival at the donation house to your departure, it takes 2 hours.

The French Blood Establishment (EFS) provides information on where and when to donate blood, plasma or platelets:

Minimum interval between 2 donations

The minimum interval between 2 donations similar varies from 2 to 8 weeks.

Tableau - Limits and periodicity

Type of donation

Maximum number of donations in the year

Minimum interval between 2 donations similar

Male

Woman

Whole blood donation

6

4

8 weeks

Plasma donation by apheresis

24

24

2 weeks

Platelet donation

12

12

4 weeks

The intervals to be respected between 2 donations not similar vary between 2 weeks and 16 weeks.

Warning  

During a year, a maximum of 24 samples is authorized by donor, all types of donation combined.

Special cases

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After the end of symptoms of a viral illness (e.g. influenza)

2 weeks

After a piercing or tattoo

4 months

After delivery

6 months

After surgery

Between 7 days and 4 months

After returning from a malaria-risk area

For less than 4 months

Donation is contraindicated 4 months after your return from an at-risk area.

Please note

At the beginning of the medical interview, consider sharing this information the doctor or nurse responsible for the sample.

Between 4 months and 3 years

Donation is permitted if the serologic test is negative with each donation if you were born or have lived in risk area in its first 5 years.

Donation is allowed in the absence of symptoms if the serologic test is negative:

  • Each donation during this 3-year period after the return if you have stayed or traveled for more than 6 consecutive months in the risk area
  • At 1er first donation if you have stayed or traveled less than 6 months in a risk area.

Please note

At the beginning of the medical interview, consider sharing this information the doctor or nurse responsible for the sample.

For more than 3 years

Donation is permitted if the serologic test is negative to 1er gift if you:

  • Were born or have lived in risk area in its first 5 years,
  • Traveled or stayed for a period of time less than 6 months consecutive in risk areas.

Please note

At the beginning of the medical interview, consider sharing this information the doctor or nurse responsible for the sample.

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