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Can I give blood

Are you eligible to give blood?

The questions we ask donors change regularly, so even if you’re a regular donor it’s worth checking.

Take our quick quiz
Question 1 of 17

Are you aged between 17 and 65?

Unfortunately, you can only become a new blood donor between your 17th and 66th birthdays.

If you're aged 16, we'd love to take your details. If you're a regular donor aged 66 or over, please keep giving. Please look at the 'Age and weight' section for more detail.

Find out more Aged 16? Sign up to give blood Update your blood donor record
Question 2 of 17

Do you weigh 7st 12lb (50 kg) or more?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood if you weigh less than 7st 12lb (50 kg)

Additional height and weight criteria apply to girls aged 17-19. Please read our age and weight criteria for more information.

Age and weight criteria Contact us Update your blood donor record
Question 3 of 17

Have you had the Covid-19 vaccine within the last 48 hours?

If you've had the vaccine as part of the UK vaccination programme, you'll need to wait 48hrs until you can give blood.

You must also be recovered from any reaction to the vaccine.

Find out more Read I’ve had my Covid-19 jab. Can I give blood? Read Covid-19: Advice for donors
Question 4 of 17

Are you waiting for medical test results?

Unfortunately, you won't be eligible to give blood until you've received your test results.

If you think your results could affect your eligibility to give blood, please get in touch.

Find out more Get in touch Update your blood donor record
Question 5 of 17

Have you visited a malarial area in the last year?

Unfortunately, you'll have to wait 12 months before you can give blood.

Find out more Sign up to give blood Update your blood donor record
Question 6 of 17

Have you had cancer, heart disease or a stroke?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood.

Many thanks for your support. If you'd like more information, please get in touch.

Find out more Get in touch Update your blood donor record
Question 7 of 17

Have you been pregnant in the last six months, or are you currently pregnant?

You are not able to donate right now. Find out more about when you will be eligible again below.

Many thanks for your support. If you'd like more information, please get in touch.

Find out more Sign up to give blood Update your blood donor record
Question 8 of 17

Had a tattoo or piercing in the last four months?

You'll need to wait four months after a tattoo or piercing before you can give blood.

Find out more Sign up to give blood Update your blood donor record
Question 9 of 17

Have you had an endoscopy or colonoscopy in the last four months?

You'll need to wait four months after your investigation before you can give blood.

Find out more Sign up to give blood Update your blood donor record
Question 10 of 17

Have you received a blood transfusion since 1st January 1980?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood if you have received (or think you might have received) a blood transfusion since 1980.

Find out more Get in touch Update your blood donor record
Question 11 of 17

Have you ever injected (or been injected with) non-prescription drugs?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood.

Many thanks for your support. If you'd like more information, please get in touch.

Injections Contact us Update your blood donor record
Question 12 of 17

Have you ever been diagnosed with or treated for Syphilis, HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood.

Many thanks for your support. If you'd like more information, please get in touch.

Sexual relations Contact us Update your blood donor record
Question 13 of 17

Have you been diagnosed with and/or treated for any other sexually transmitted diseases within the last three months?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood at this time.

You should be able to give blood in three months, after you've been treated and have fully recovered.

Sexual relations Contact us Update your blood donor record
Question 14 of 17

Have you taken PEP or PrEP to reduce your risk of contracting HIV over the last three months?

You'll need to wait three months after taking PEP or PrEP before you can give blood.

Sexual relations Contact us Update your blood donor record
Question 15 of 17

Have you had chemsex over the last three months?

You'll need to wait three months after having chemsex before you can give blood.

Sexual relations Contact us Update your blood donor record
Question 16 of 17

Have you started (or restarted) a new sexual relationship, or had more than one sexual partner in the last three months?

Good news! It doesn't look like any of our new eligibility criteria will affect your ability to give blood.

Sign up as a blood donor below - or, if you're aleady registered, make an appointment by logging into your online donor account.

Sign up to give blood Make an appointment
Question 17 of 17

Have you had anal sex with your new partner, with or without a condom?

You'll need to wait three months after having anal sex with a new partner / sex with more than one partner including anal sex with at least one partner before you can give blood.

Sexual relations Contact us Update your blood donor record

Brilliant! It looks like you should be able to give blood.

Additional eligibility criteria apply

Book in to give blood

Find out more

We really want you to be able to give blood. Have a look at the information below to find out if you might be eligible.

What you can do before giving blood

Sign up to give blood

Giving blood is safe, simple and only takes an hour.

Sign up to give blood

Amazing stories

Find out how blood donors change lives.

Amazing stories

Our partners

We work with a number of other organisations. Who are they, and what do they do?

Partner organisations

Current blood stock levels across Scotland Thursday 10 October

We aim to retain 6 days of stocks at any time in order to meet the requirements of patients in Scotland.

Learn more about blood types