Here’s where you can get the new 6-month HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir
South Africa’s Gauteng Health Department launched Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, at 133 public health facilities, targeting at-risk groups including adolescent girls, sex workers, and pregnant women. The phased rollout aims to provide the injection to 56,079 people by March 2025, as part of a national push to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership.
South Africa’s Gauteng Health Department began rolling out Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection, at 133 public health facilities across the province on Monday. Administered every six months, the injection is part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy that includes testing, condom use, and STI treatment, but does not replace existing methods. The first phase prioritizes high-risk groups: adolescent girls and young women, adolescent boys and young men, sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender persons, people who inject drugs, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. By March 2025, Gauteng expects to provide the injection to 56,079 individuals, with the first allocation covering 18,809 people. The rollout aligns with South Africa’s national goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the June 5 launch in Secunda. Ramaphosa called Lenacapavir a ‘major turning point,’ noting it represents a significant scientific breakthrough since antiretroviral treatment. The national plan targets 360 public health facilities across six provinces and 24 high-burden districts, aiming to reach nearly one million people by 2027 and three million by 2027. Gauteng’s facilities offering Lenacapavir include 17 Esselen Street Clinic, Alexandra CHC, and Hillbrow CHC in Johannesburg, as well as Atteridgeville Clinic and Mamelodi West Clinic in Tshwane. Additional stock will be supplied quarterly to ensure continuity. Before receiving the injection, individuals must test for HIV to confirm eligibility. The program emphasizes combining Lenacapavir with other prevention methods to maximize effectiveness. The national initiative, led by the Department of Health, expands HIV prevention options while accelerating progress toward the 2030 target. Ramaphosa highlighted the historical significance of the launch, framing it as a pivotal moment in South Africa’s fight against HIV. The phased approach ensures targeted distribution to populations most vulnerable to infection.
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