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Travel Deferrals

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

  • African continent: All countries on continent (Exceptions: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia)
  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Bolivia
  • Brasil
  • Burma (Myanmar)
  • Cambodia
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Djibouti
  • Dominican Republic
  • East Timor (Timor-Leste)
  • Ecuador
  • French Guiana (France Overseas Department)
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Korea (North of Seoul)
  • Laos
  • Libera
  • Malaysia
  • Mexico (Risk present in Chiapas and southern part of Chihuahua; No risk in other areas including along the U.S. - Mexico Border)
  • Nepal
  • Nicaragua
  • Pakistan
  • Panama
  • Papua
  • New Guinea
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Solomon Islands
  • Suriname
  • Thailand
  • Vanuatu
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Yemen

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.