Immunisation, live - Tissue - live donors

Essential information

Obligatory

No exposure:

Must not donate if:
Less than 8 weeks from administration.

Discretionary

If more than 4 weeks from administration of a live immunisation, other than smallpox immunisation, and the inoculation site has healed, accept.

Supporting information

See if relevant

• BCG
• Smallpox immunisation

Additional information

Live immunisations use living viruses or living bacteria that will stimulate the immune system but do not normally cause a severe illness. They may, however, cause severe illness in people who are already unwell and have a weakened immune system. By 4 weeks, any infection caused by the immunisation should have been controlled and so should not be passed on through donated material. There are special rules for BCG and smallpox immunisations.

Regulatory information

This advice is a requirement of the EU Tissue and Cells Directive.

Reason for change:

Advice has been given from SACTTI that a period of four weeks is sufficient to ensure that there would be no circulating virus or bacteria at time of donation for live immunisations other than smallpox.

Version details:

TL-DSG Edition 203 Release 08 (21 June 2011)