Common Deferrals

Travel Deferrals

A recent 24-hour stay in the following countries requires a 3-month deferral due to malaria concerns:

Medical Deferrals

Medication

• Aspirin, blood pressure or cholesterol medications, birth control, antidepressants, pain medications–No deferral.
• Antibiotics for an infection–Temporary. 72 hours after last dose.

Vaccination

• MMR or Varicella Vaccination–Temporary. Four weeks after vaccination.
• Smallpox Vaccination–Temporary. Three weeks after vaccination.
• Influenza Vaccination–No deferral.
• COVID-19 Vaccination–No deferral.

Medical Condition

• Syphilis or Gonorrhea–Temporary. 3-month wait upon completion of treatment. 
• Mononucleosis (“Mono”)–Temporary. Defer until symptom free.
• No deferral if symptom free and condition was not associated with hepatitis.
• Pregnancy–Temporary. Deferred during pregnancy AND for six weeks after delivery or termination.
• No deferral if greater than six weeks after delivery or termination.

Other 

• Tattoos or Permanent Makeup–Temporary. Required 7-day wait, until fully healed; if done in majority of U.S. States/CONUS.
  • Requires a 3-month wait overseas or in the following states/locations: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah & Wyoming.
• Ear or Body Piercing made with single-use equipment–Temporary. Required 7-day wait, until fully healed. 
• Ear or Body Piercing not made with single-use equipment–Temporary. Three months. 
• Sexual contact, high-risk sexual activity with a new partner(s) within previous three months.–Temporary. Three months.  
• PrEP oral (short-acting antiviral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs)–Temporary. Three months. 
• PrEP injection (long-acting anitviral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs)–Temporary. Two years.  
• HIV Treatment–Indefinite. 
• Drug use (non-prescription injection)–Temporary. Three months.
• LASIK–Temporary. Defer if less than 72 hours since treatment. No deferral if greater than 72 hours since completion of treatment and donor has no signs of eye infection.