South Africans are turning to a new twice yearly HIV injection
PRETORIA — More than 55 000 people in South Africa have received the new twice yearly HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir, just three months after the government began its rollout in what has become one of the country’s most significant additions to HIV prevention in years.
The Department of Health said 55 123 people had been initiated on Lenacapavir by 7 September, with the programme now operating at about 360 public health facilities across 24 districts in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, North West, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape.
The figures provide an early indication of demand for an HIV prevention option that requires an injection only twice a year, potentially addressing some of the challenges associated with taking oral pre exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, consistently.
Women account for 71% of recipients so far, with the department saying pregnant and breastfeeding women make up a large proportion of those receiving the injection.
Gauteng has recorded by far the highest uptake, with 26 357 people initiated, followed by KwaZulu Natal with 11 941. North West recorded 4 479 initiations, the Western Cape 4 446, Mpumalanga 4 294 and the Eastern Cape 3 606.
President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the public sector rollout alongside Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi in June after the government identified Lenacapavir as an important part of its strategy to prevent new HIV infections. The Department of Health had previously published the list of 360 facilities included in the first phase of the programme.
Unlike HIV treatment, which is used by people already living with the virus, Lenacapavir is being offered as pre exposure prophylaxis to people who are HIV negative and at risk of acquiring HIV. It does not replace the other prevention choices available through the public health system.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has approved Lenacapavir for HIV prevention, while the medicine was also included on the National Essential Medicines List for the public sector. The Department of Health’s published medicine review and health economic assessment formed part of the process leading to its introduction.
The rapid uptake will now place attention on whether government can maintain supplies and expand access beyond the first 360 facilities while ensuring patients return for subsequent injections.
Health authorities and implementing partners are monitoring stock availability, service quality, follow up and safety as the programme expands. The department has also urged anyone experiencing serious or persistent adverse events following an injection to report them to healthcare workers.
For South Africa, the significance of the early numbers will ultimately depend on whether easier access and twice yearly dosing translate into sustained HIV prevention among people who may struggle to remain on daily prevention medication.
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