In order to ensure the safety of both the recipient and the donor, donor selection criteria have been established in a federal guideline called the Haemotherapy Guideline. The criteria include routine body temperature and haemoglobin level checks as well as an infection-focussed survey of potential willing donors. Any indications of an infectious disease will lead to a temporary deferral of the donor.
In addition, laboratory tests and recovery periods have been established to prevent the transmission of certain infectious agents such as HIV, HBV, HCV, HEV, malaria pathogens, Chikungunya virus, WNV (West Nile virus) and Zika virus.
Blood donations in sufficient quantities are urgently necessary to avoid temporary shortages in the supply of blood components. All persons who are willing to donate and are free of acute infection should therefore donate blood.
Within the scope of its responsibilities, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut is available to the German state authorities to answer questions about safety and to ensure the supply of blood, plasma, and stem cell products.
If any new findings become available that require a change to previous recommendations, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut will inform the blood donation facilities and the public in a timely manner.
Updated: 28.08.2025
Yes, blood or plasma can be donated after a vaccination. How soon afterwards depends on the type of vaccine.
Blood donation is possible one day after vaccination with a dead vaccine (e.g. tetanus vaccines and many influenza vaccines).
A waiting period of four weeks must be observed after vaccinations with vaccines containing live or attenuated viruses (e.g. mumps, measles, yellow fever). The Robert Koch Institute provides details on the waiting period for blood donation after specific vaccinations.
Blood or plasma can also be donated after a COVID-19 vaccination with the currently authorised vaccine products. Blood donation is possible as soon as the vaccinated individual is free from any adverse reactions (such as local skin reactions, fever, pain in the limbs). The vaccinating physician must clear the donation on an individual basis in accordance with the federal requirements detailed in the Haemotherapy Guideline.
FAQ from the Robert Koch Institute "Can blood be donated after vaccination? " (German only)
Updated: 28.08.2025
The qualification and disqualification criteria for persons who wish to donate blood in Germany are set out in the "Guideline on the Collection of Blood and Blood Components and the Use of Blood Products" (Haemotherapy Guideline) by the German Medical Association in agreement with the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut.
The German Medical Association has consulted experts and taken into account the guidelines and recommendations on blood and blood components from the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the World Health Organization. In agreement with the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, the association has determined the generally accepted state of knowledge of medical science and technology on the use of blood products and applied that knowledge to the Haemotherapy Guideline. Experts from relevant professional and public bodies received sufficient opportunities to participate in preparing the guideline. These bodies consulted included donation centre operators, the central statutory health insurer associations, the German Hospital Federation, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, and the competent federal and state authorities.
Updated: 28.08.2025
A combination of different measures regarding the approval of those willing to donate blood has led to a very high level of safety in Germany in recent years. These measures include both a mandatory test for certain infectious agents such as HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses, and the syphilis pathogen T. pallidum, as well as a medical history questionnaire for those willing to donate. The questionnaire focusses on illnesses, infections, vaccinations, travel, and sexual behaviour that may lead to disqualification or deferral from blood donation. In accordance with new legislation (see section 12a of the Transfusion Act from 16 March 2023), the assessment of risk resulting from sexual behaviour that leads to a donation deferral must be based on the individual sexual behaviour of the person willing to donate. The sexual orientation and gender identity, including transgender identification, of the person willing to donate or their sexual partners do not play a role in the risk assessment. This approach is intended to help avoid discrimination in donor approval.
Examples of individuals who are not qualified to donate blood include:
Examples of individuals who are temporarily deferred from blood donation include:
The complete substantive list of all disqualification and deferral criteria is listed in the Haemotherapy Guideline in Chapter 2.2.4.3 Donor requirements (disqualification criteria/deferral criteria).
Updated: 28.08.2025
