The EBAANZ Medical Advisory Committee will continue to update its guidance and screening recommendations as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves based on the latest guidelines from the TGA as well as available scientific evidence.

These recommendations are designed for recipient and recovery technician safety and specify criteria for donor eligibility.

The EBAANZ Medical Advisory Committee has assessed the risk of COVID-19 in eye only donors and makes the below recommendations.

Donor Deferrals

1. Donors should be determined ineligible who in the 10 days prior to death:
   • were diagnosed with COVID-19; OR
   • tested positive for COVID-19 by direct viral testing methods (e.g., NAAT and/or antigen); OR
   • had close contact with a person diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19 AND developed signs and symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of a plausible alternative etiology or vaccination history
2. Donors should be evaluated for eligibility by a Medical Director who:
   • in the 10 days prior to death, without a known close contact with a person diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19, experienced signs and/or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 not explained by a plausible alternative etiology; OR
   • in the 10 days prior to death, had a known close contact with a person diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19 prior to death AND was asymptomatic; OR
   • in the 11 to 20 days prior to death had a positive or reactive test for SARSCoV-2* AND had ongoing
     signs and/or symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of a plausible alternative etiology.
3. Vaccines and immunoglobulins
   • For COVID-19 vaccines approved by the TGA no deferral required.

Please view the EBAANZ Medical Advisory Committee Notification here.