South Africa rolls out game-changing HIV shot amid funding shortfalls
South Africa launched Lenacapavir, a biannual HIV injection, marking the ninth African country to adopt the drug, but U.S. funding cuts and high costs limit its widespread availability. The drug targets high-risk groups, particularly adolescent girls and young women, though experts warn funding shortfalls could hinder its impact despite its potential to revolutionize prevention efforts.
South Africa began rolling out Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention drug, on June 5, 2026, in 360 high-burden health facilities. The drug, classified as a long-acting Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), is hailed as nearly failproof for preventing HIV infections in high-risk individuals. It is the ninth African country to introduce the treatment, following rapid adoption across the continent. The rollout aims to address South Africa’s persistent HIV challenges, where 8 million people live with the virus and 160,000 new infections occur annually. Most new cases involve adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24, with around 1,000 infections weekly in this group due to unequal or transactional relationships. Current daily PrEP pills face adherence issues, making Lenacapavir a potential breakthrough for prevention. President Cyril Ramaphosa called the launch a ‘turning point’ in South Africa’s HIV fight, emphasizing its symbolic and medical significance. However, access is constrained by U.S. funding cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which reduced infrastructure support for prevention programs. The Global Fund currently provides enough funding for 456,000 people over two years, but experts say this falls short of meeting demand. Dr. Saiqa Mullick, a PrEP specialist at the University of Witwatersrand, warned that without expanded funding, the drug’s impact will be limited. The cost of Lenacapavir, produced by Gilead, is $28,000 per person annually in the U.S., though generic versions are expected to lower prices. Linda-Gail Bekker of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation noted that PEPFAR cuts have weakened prevention programs, leaving gaps in outreach and youth services critical for the drug’s success. Experts stress that while Lenacapavir is a game-changing technology, its effectiveness depends on reaching those most at risk. Funding shortages and logistical barriers threaten to undermine its potential, despite its promise as a simpler, more reliable HIV prevention option.
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