South Africa has taken a major leap in the fight against HIV with the arrival of Lenacapavir, a long-acting prevention injection that could transform how the country tackles one of its deadliest epidemics.
The first batch of 37,920 doses landed in the country on Thursday, April 2, marking a significant milestone in efforts to curb new infections, particularly among populations who struggle to access or adhere to daily prevention methods.
Unlike traditional options that require consistent daily use, Lenacapavir is administered just twice a year, a development that health authorities believe could dramatically improve adherence and expand access to life-saving protection.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi described the injectable as a critical breakthrough, particularly in addressing one of the biggest challenges in HIV prevention compliance.
“One of the advantages is that it's taken only twice a year, as we said, six monthly, which means compliance is going to be very, very high because then people don't have to forget, they don't have to remember taking a pill every day or something like that.”
He said the arrival of the doses marks the beginning of a broader rollout plan, with the government finalising preparations for a national launch expected to be led by the President.
“Only finishing touches are left, including the fact that we want it to be launched by the president, and we are discussing with his office to try and align our diaries so that we do it at the time when the president is available to do it. So anytime we can make an announcement of the date,” he added.
Motsoaledi confirmed that the rollout will prioritise those most at risk of new infections, following extensive consultations with stakeholders including the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), civil society, researchers, and global health bodies such as the World Health Organization and UNAIDS.
“We agreed on four groups. First, on top of the list, are adolescent girls and young women. Then pregnant women, then lactating women, then bridging population like sex workers, men having sex with men. Those are the groups that have been identified,” he said.
As the government moves towards implementation, the Department of Health says the introduction of Lenacapavir also signals a broader shift in how HIV prevention services are delivered.
Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the six-monthly injection is expected to expand prevention options and improve uptake among vulnerable communities.
“This is part of integrated, differentiated and people-centred HIV prevention services which offer new hope for people who face barriers to existing HIV prevention methods.”
Experts have long warned that poor adherence remains a major barrier in HIV prevention, particularly among young women and marginalised groups, a gap that long-acting solutions like Lenacapavir aim to close.
However, Mohale stressed that the drug is not a vaccine, but a preventive treatment designed to reduce the risk of infection.
“Lenacapavir is a preventive medicine, not a vaccine, considered one of the most exciting HIV prevention advances in years,” he added.
The official rollout is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, with a phased implementation plan targeting high-risk groups first. Health authorities believe the introduction of Lenacapavir could help shift the trajectory of the HIV epidemic, bringing South Africa closer to its goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The Star
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