Jehovah’s Witnesses have adjusted their blood transfusion policy, allowing members to decide, based on personal conscience, whether to accept or donate red cells, white cells, plasma and platelets.

The change was announced in a statement issued by the organisation’s World Headquarters in Warwick, New York, and published on September 18, 2026.

The organisation, however, stressed that its longstanding religious objection to whole-blood transfusions remains unchanged, citing the biblical command to “abstain from blood.”

International spokesman, Paul Gillies, said blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, adding that decisions concerning blood components are now left to the individual’s conscience and relationship with God.

The group said congregations would not interfere in members’ personal medical decisions and reiterated that Witnesses seek professional healthcare that respects their beliefs and wishes.

“Congregations do not involve themselves in personal decisions that rest with the individual conscience. We will continue to respect and support the personal decisions of our fellow believers.

“We are grateful, too, for the many skilled and compassionate physicians who provide quality medical care that respects our personal wishes regarding blood,” he said.

The adjustment follows earlier updates allowing members to make personal decisions on the use of blood fractions and their own blood during medical procedures.