Blood Donation Requirements & Eligibility Information

Blood Donation Requirements & Eligibility Information

Basic Blood Donation Requirements

Most people in good health, at least 18 years old, and weighing at least 110 pounds may donate whole blood every 56 days. Review basic blood donation requirements and schedule your appointment today.

Health requirements

You must be in good health and feeling well on the day of your blood donation. When you donate, you’ll undergo a confidential screening interview and mini-health check of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and iron level. Here are some ways you can prep for your donation.

Not everyone is eligible to donate. Some health conditions, medications, or travel may temporarily or permanently prevent people from donating blood. Read more below and for specific questions, contact our Eligibility team at [email protected] or (425)656-3077 (option 1)

Weight requirements

You must weigh at least 110 pounds to donate blood. There are additional weight requirements for teen donors:

  • First-time 16 or 17 year old donors who weigh at least 114 pounds may donate at Bloodworks NW donor center.
  • First-time 16 or 17 year old male donors who weigh at least 114 pounds may donate at a mobile blood drive.
  • First-time 16 or 17 year old female donors who weigh at least 125 pounds may donate at a mobile blood drive.
  • Mobile blood drive weight requirements for 16 or 17 year olds are to improve our young first-time donors’ experience, and minimize chances of vasovagal reaction.

Age requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to donate blood. There is no upper age limit.

Washington: 16 or 17 year olds donating in Washington must have a Bloodworks Northwest permission form signed by a parent or guardian to donate. Form must be printed on white paper only.

Oregon: 16 or 17 year olds donating in Oregon do not require a Bloodworks permission form, unless requested by the donor group(s).

Blood Donation Eligibility: Medications, Medical Conditions & Other Restrictions

The charts below detail blood donation eligibility and restrictions based on certain medications, medical conditions, recent vaccines, and other potential conditions that may restrict your ability to donate blood at this time.

Blood Donation Eligibility: Medications, Medical Conditions & Other Restrictions

The charts below detail blood donation eligibility and restrictions based on certain medications, medical conditions, recent vaccines, and other potential conditions that may restrict your ability to donate blood at this time.

Medications

Most medications won’t impact your ability to donate blood. The reason your physician prescribed a specific medication sometimes determines eligibility. Please review our list of common medications below or read our disqualifying medication deferral list. Contact us with questions.

man determining blood donation requirements and examining pill
Antibiotics (used for Acne is acceptable), Injectable, Oral Must wait 7 days after you have completed your prescription before you can donate
Antidepressants Can Donate
Antiretroviral Medication, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) or any medication used to treat HIV/AIDS Cannot Donate
Allergy medications, diuretics, diet pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, Tylenol Can Donate
Aspirin Can donate blood, but not platelets
Blood Pressure Medication (most types) Can Donate
CBD (cannabidiol; topical or oral) Can Donate
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and/or Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or any medication used to prevent HIV/AIDS infection. Three-Month wait
Antibiotics (used for Acne is acceptable), Injectable, Oral Must wait 7 days after you have completed your prescription before you can donate
Antidepressants Can Donate
Antiretroviral Medication, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) or any medication used to treat HIV/AIDS Cannot Donate
Allergy medications, diuretics, diet pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, Tylenol Can Donate
Aspirin Can donate blood, but not platelets
Blood Pressure Medication (most types) Can Donate
CBD (cannabidiol; topical or oral) Can Donate
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and/or Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or any medication used to prevent HIV/AIDS infection. Three-Month wait

Vaccinations

Most vaccines won’t impact your blood donation eligibility. Review the list of common vaccines below to understand whether a recent vaccination requires a waiting period before donating blood.

Measles (rubella) and MMR One-Month Wait
Influenza Can Donate
Hepatitis B Two-Week Wait
RSV Can Donate
COVID-19 & Bivalant Boosters Can Donate
Shingles (Shingrix) Can Donate
Monkeypox Can Donate

Medical Conditions

Review the list of medical conditions below to understand whether a condition or related treatment will impact your ability to donate blood.

HIV/AIDS, individuals at high risk and their partners Cannot Donate
Cold and Flu: You should not donate today if you are currently experiencing symptoms of a “cold” or “flu” Cannot Donate Today
Diabetes, on or off medication and under control Can Donate
Non-viral Hepatitis, previous Hepatitis A Can Donate
Viral Hepatitis B, C, D Cannot Donate
Pregnancy Cannot Donate
Pregnancy, after delivery, miscarriage, abortion Six-Week Wait
Menstruation Can Donate
Cancer, treatment complete and disease-free; most types* One Year Wait
Low blood count / Low iron Read More
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosed by a physician Cannot Donate
Multiple sclerosis, or MS Depends on treatment plan. Email or call (425) 656-3077 (option 1)
Rheumatoid Arthritis Depends on treatment plan. Email or call (425) 656-3077 (option 1)
Lupus Depends on treatment plan. Email or call (425) 656-3077 (option 1)
Crohn’s Disease Depends on treatment plan. Email or call (425) 656-3077 (option 1)
IBS Depends on treatment plan. Email or call (425) 656-3077 (option 1)
*Note: People with, or who have had, cancer, should contact the Clinical Specialist at (425)656-3077 to determine eligibility.

You Cannot get AIDS From Donating Blood

Only sterile, disposable equipment is used throughout the donation process, which makes it virtually impossible to contract a disease from donating blood.

Medical Procedures

Review the list of common medical procedures below to understand whether a recent procedure requires a waiting period before donating blood.

Localized Basal Cell or Squamous Cell Skin Cell Cancer Removal Can Donate
Surgery, Dental Bone or Gum Graft Contact Us
Surgery, without transfusion or certain all transfusions were Autologous Can Donate
Surgery, with transfusion Three-Month Wait
Transfusion Three-Month Wait

Other Possible Blood Donation Restrictions

Ear/Body Piercing, sterile procedure and single use equipment used Can Donate
Ear/Body Piercing, non-sterile procedure or non-single use equipment used Three-Month Wait
Tattooing, in a state licensed facility in the U.S., excluding facilities in District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming Can Donate
Tattooing, non-state licensed facility, a facility outside U.S., or tattoos performed in the following states: District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming Three-Month Wait
Travel outside the US or Canada Learn More >
Donor deferral, men who have sex with men (MSM) Learn More >
Nicotine, Alcohol, or Cannabis Can Donate; avoid alcohol or cannabis use before and after donation. We cannot accept donations from anyone under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or prescription drugs. 

Have More Questions About Blood Donation?

Please call a Clinical Specialist at (425) 656-3077 (option 1)
or email [email protected]

Blood Donation News & Announcements

New Era of Blood Donor Eligibility

More gay, bisexual men can now donate blood and introducing new gender-neutral questionnaire

COVID 19 Information

No wait to donate blood if you receive
most COVID vaccines

Mad Cow Blood Donor Ban Update

Deferral requirement associated UK, France, and Ireland has lifted

Blood Donation News & Announcements

New Era of Blood Donor Eligibility

More gay, bisexual men can now donate blood and introducing new gender-neutral questionnaire

COVID 19 Information

No wait to donate blood if you receive
most COVID vaccines

Mad Cow Blood Donor Ban Update

Deferral requirement associated UK, France, and Ireland has lifted