New restrictions on blood donations come into force
04/05/2004 - 08:15:02New rules governing the donation of blood in Ireland are due to come into force today.
Under the rules, donations will not be accepted from anyone who received a blood transfusion on or after January 1, 1980.
The measure is designed to reduce the risk of vCJD infection through the blood donation system.
Reports this morning said the Irish Blood Transfusion Service would lose up to 5,000 donors because of the new restrictions.
