The Western Cape has begun rolling out the groundbreaking HIV prevention injection that health officials believe could significantly strengthen efforts to curb new infections across the province.
For many people at risk of HIV infection, prevention has traditionally relied on taking a daily pill. Now, a new long-acting option requiring just two injections a year is becoming available at selected public healthcare facilities, offering a more convenient alternative for those who struggle with daily medication routines.
The rollout follows the arrival of thousands of doses of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention medicine that has been hailed internationally as one of the most significant advances in HIV prevention in recent years.
Reporting on the provincial launch, NovaNews highlighted that the medication’s arrival marked a major milestone in South Africa’s ongoing efforts to reduce new HIV infections.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has allocated the first 29 000 doses to facilities in communities carrying some of the province’s highest HIV burdens.
Meanwhile, Western Cape Health and Wellness MEC Mireille Wenger described the development as a major step forward in the province’s HIV prevention strategy.
‘The rollout of Lenacapavir represents a major scientific breakthrough in HIV prevention and gives us another opportunity to strengthen HIV prevention in our communities. It expands the choices available to people who may benefit from a long-acting prevention option and brings us one step closer to a future with fewer new infections.’
According to EWN, the medication will initially be available at 22 healthcare facilities across the Cape Town metro, where prevention programmes are already targeting communities most vulnerable to new infections.
Unlike daily oral PrEP, Lenacapavir is administered every six months, potentially removing one of the biggest barriers to consistent HIV prevention: remembering to take medication every day.
Health experts have noted that improving adherence remains one of the key challenges in HIV prevention programmes worldwide. The introduction of a twice-yearly option could help more people stay protected over longer periods.
Wenger said health authorities had been working behind the scenes to prepare for the introduction of the medication across the province.
‘While treatment has transformed millions of lives, preventing new infections remains one of our most important priorities.’
The treatment process begins with two injections and oral tablets administered at a clinic, followed by additional tablets taken at home the next day.
The medication then provides protection for up to 28 weeks through a slow-release mechanism. Patients return after one month for a follow-up assessment before continuing with routine care.
While Lenacapavir has generated considerable excitement within the healthcare sector, medical professionals continue to stress that it forms part of a broader HIV prevention strategy that includes testing, condoms, treatment services and existing PrEP options.
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