TGA approval to lift ‘mad cow’ blood donation ban for people who lived in the UK

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is delighted to have received a decision from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which will enable people who lived in the United Kingdom between 1980 and 1996 to donate blood.

Lifeblood Executive Director of Donor Services, Cath Stone said: “We know there’s significant interest in this change and look forward to having more to share once planning for implementation is completed, including a date for when we expect to be able to welcome any new donors.”

Since December 2000, those who had spent a total of six months or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996 were prevented from donating blood. This was a precautionary measure in response to the UK outbreak of mad cow disease and concerns about the risk of acquiring human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD).

Lifeblood is now in the planning process for implementation including updating its systems and looks forward to sharing more news soon.