Which of the following does not require a 12-month deferment?

• A. Donor who received a blood transfusion
• B. Donor who had tattoo and body piercing
• C. Donor had sex with a person with hepatitis
• D. Donor received the hepatitis B vaccine

Answer: (D)

Donor deferral periods are based on the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections and the time needed for potential infections to become detectable. A 12-month deferment is used after events that could introduce infections with a window period, such as receiving a blood transfusion, or sexual contact with someone known to have hepatitis, or tattooing/body piercing with potentially nonsterile equipment.

Receiving the hepatitis B vaccine, on the other hand, is a protective measure, not a risk factor. The vaccine does not introduce infection and does not create a window period that could compromise donation safety. Therefore it does not require a 12-month deferment. Donors who have been vaccinated for hepatitis B can donate once they meet all other eligibility criteria.