Plasma Donation Deferrals: What They Mean—And How You Can Bounce Back

When you donate plasma, you’re helping to save lives. It’s no wonder donors like you are often eager to give, whether it’s your first time or you’re coming back again. We’re right there with you—we want every appointment to result in a successful donation! 

Because safety is our top priority, donation centers may occasionally ask donors to wait before giving plasma. This is called a deferral, and it’s nothing to worry about if it happens to you. Many donors are deferred at some point along their donation journey. It doesn’t mean you won’t be back to making a difference in the very near future. It just means you weren’t quite ready to donate at that moment. 

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about deferrals, what to do if you’re asked to wait a bit before donating again, and how to boost your chances for a successful donation the next time you come to visit us at a center.

Deferrals are all about keeping you, and the people who will end up receiving plasma, safe. If you’re ever unsure why you’re being asked to wait, just chat with one of our team members. We’re here to help make sure you can donate as soon as possible!

A few things to keep in mind:

Safety comes first. Deferrals help make sure that it’s safe for you to give plasma, and that plasma only comes from healthy donors.

Recovery time matters. Your body needs time to recover, which is why we ask you to wait at least one calendar day between your donations. This waiting period applies to every donor and is not a deferral.

The good news? Most deferrals are temporary, so you’ll likely be back to donating again very soon. Here are some common reasons you might be asked to wait:

• Recent illness or infection: Colds or the flu can leave you feeling run-down and dehydrated. Please take care of yourself and come back in to donate when you’re feeling better.
• Antibiotic use: If you’re currently taking antibiotics for an infection, you should be able to come back in after you finish the medication and symptoms are gone (this is typically 2-7 days after finishing your prescription).
• Certain medications or new medical treatments: Some prescriptions and medical treatments may also keep you from donating. Check out our Who Can Donate page or talk to your center’s staff about this list of medications and your specific situation.
• Vaccination: Vaccines are important. But when it comes to certain vaccines, you’ll need to wait a few days after your jab to start donating again. After that, you should be good to go!
• Recent tattoos or piercings: Many of our donors love to express themselves with tattoos and piercings, but the risk of infection is real. You’ll have to wait four months to donate if you have recently gotten either. And, if you used a tattoo or piercing location that isn’t licensed, we may ask you to wait a little bit longer. For more details, check out this short blog.
• Pregnancy: We’ll ask you to delay donation until six months after delivery, miscarriage, or termination of a pregnancy. Once you’re past that window, reach out to our staff to see if you’re ready to schedule a donation.
• Low iron levels: You can easily improve your levels with an iron-rich diet (think tuna, eggs, and dark green vegetables) or supplements, then return to be retested.
• Travel to high-risk areas: Please let us know about your recent travels. Certain countries may increase your chance of coming into contact with illnesses like malaria or the Zika virus. If we ask you to wait due to recent travels, it should only be temporary.
• Risky behaviors: Certain activities, such as injecting drugs into your veins, may cause a deferral due to the risk of diseases.

Temporary deferrals can last from one day (for blood pressure issues) to several months for tattoos, travel concerns, or pregnancy. Check your BioLife app (Apple/Android) or contact your center to see when you can return. 

Permanent deferrals are rare but can happen. The most common reasons for a permanent deferral are testing positive for illnesses (like HIV or hepatitis) or having serious medical conditions. If you’re ever unsure about your status, our team is here to help!

A deferral is usually nothing to worry about. It’s often just a small speed bump on your donation journey. Our staff will do all we can to get you back in to donate safely, but you can also help speed up the process. 

1. Ask questions: We understand a deferral might be unexpected or confusing. Our staff does all they can to help you understand your status and how to become eligible again.

    

2. Take action: We’ll be right beside you, offering helpful tips to get you ready for your next visit. These tips may include things like waiting until you’re well or completing treatments. If diet, hydration, illness, or medication triggered the deferral, we encourage you to address the cause of the delay and try again soon. Remember: A low iron level or dehydration can often be fixed within just a few days.

    

3. Track your status: You can use the BioLife app to monitor some types of deferrals and see what day you can return to donate. For all other deferrals, our center staff can work with you to build a timeline.

• Stay hydrated: Water is your best friend here! Drink plenty of it 24-48 hours before your donation.
• Eat a healthy, iron-rich meal: Lean meat, beans, and leafy greens can help boost your iron.
• Avoid fatty foods and caffeine: We know how tempting high-fat foods can be, but they can impact your pre-donation screens. Similarly, caffeine can raise your heart rate and dehydrate you. So, it’s best to stick to lean foods and skip coffee and energy drinks the day before a donation.
• Wait after recent tattoos, piercings, or surgeries: Make sure you wait the required four months after any tattoos or piercings. For surgeries, reach out to your local center to see how long you should wait before donating.
• Share openly about medications, travel, and symptoms: Being candid with us helps reduce any potential frustrations when it comes to delays and keeps everyone safe and healthy.

Now that you’ve learned a bit more about how our commitment to safety can lead to deferrals, we hope that you will use this information to help prevent delays when you arrive to donate plasma with BioLife. Please also remember that a delay/deferral is typically just a temporary speed bump along your donation journey. If one does happen, we’re here to get you right back on track.

• Download the BioLife Plasma Services App (Apple/Android)
• Our Deferral FAQs
• FDA Guidance
• National Donor Deferral Registry