Meet 4 people who got the HIV prevention jab
South Africa has expanded access to Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection that provides protection for six months. The health department is prioritizing high-risk groups and plans to scale up availability as generic versions become more affordable.
Why it matters
This represents a significant medical advancement in HIV prevention, offering a more convenient alternative to daily medication for vulnerable populations.
Almost 55,000 people in South Africa have already had a shot that protects them against HIV for six months at a time, the health department says.
Lenacapavir, or LEN, has been available through the health department since June. The injection gives near-perfect protection against HIV and, because it lasts for six months, people only need to return to a clinic twice a year.
For now, LEN is available at 360 government clinics — about one in 10 — across six provinces. The Free State, Limpopo and the Northern Cape don’t yet have it.
That should start to change when cheaper generic versions become available in 2027. The health department plans to use some of its own budget, along with a grant from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation through the Global Fund, to buy more LEN and expand the number of clinics that offer it.
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