SA to roll out HIV prevention jab Lenacapavir

By Charmaine Ndlela

South Africa will officially start the roll out Lenacapavir, a ground-breaking HIV prevention injection, on 5 June in Mpumalanga.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the rollout while delivering the Department of Health’s Budget Vote on Wednesday, saying the country is now in a strong position to decisively tackle HIV as a public health threat.

“In the next two weeks, we will be delivering Lenacapavir stocks to depots and health facilities. We will be starting with 360 health facilities in the high-burden districts of the country,” Motsoaledi said.

Lenacapavir is administered through an injection twice a year, offering six months of continuous protection per dose. The treatment is seen as a major breakthrough as it provides an alternative to daily HIV prevention tablets and bi-monthly injections.

Studies have shown that the drug reduces HIV transmission risk by 99.9%.

The minister said the rollout will primarily target high-risk groups,