From March 2026, people at high risk of contracting HIV will be able to visit their local clinic every six months for an HIV-prevention jab. The treatment combines a Lenacapavir injection with a short course of four tablets taken over two days.
The Department of Health has hailed this breakthrough drug as a “game-changer”, though the initial supply will be limited. High-risk key populations identified through data patterns – such as young women aged 15 to 24, sex workers, and homosexual men – will receive it first.
Over the past two years the Department has worked with various governments, aid agencies, funding foundations and the WHO to cut the drug’s cost and expand access. A breakthrough earlier this year secured a generic licence so multiple manufacturers can produce it. This week Lenacapavir joined the national Essential Medicines List, opening the way for free distribution at clinics across the country.
Limited amount for initial roll-out
“We obtained a limited quantity for the initial roll-out,” said Department of Health spokesman Foster Mohale in a telephone interview.
“We’re now developing a notifications campaign – similar to the COVID-vaccine roll-out – using TV, radio, social media and word-of-mouth to announce the programme schedule and alert key populations to apply.”
Conventional prevention efforts have cut HIV infections by 40% so far, yet UNAIDS recorded 1.3 million new infections in 2024. This long-acting injectable promises to shift the landscape. By 2027, an almost 100% effective HIV-prevention tool should be both affordable and widely available. The WHO aims to reach 1.5 billion people by 2030.
‘Not a replacement’ for current HIV prevention methods
“This new vaccine plugs critical gaps in current HIV-protection methods,” Mohale said. “It supports people who struggled with daily tablets or faced stigma when visiting clinics. But we must emphasise that it doesn’t replace existing prevention methods. People who receive the vaccine cannot treat it as a licence to be reckless.”
