Lenacapavir rollout underway in Gauteng | Sedibeng Ster

From June 8, Gauteng residents have access to a new six-month HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, as the Department of Health rolls out the injectable across the province to curb HIV infections.

According to the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), the introduction of the injection marks a major milestone in expanding HIV prevention options, offering eligible individuals a long-acting alternative to daily oral medication. Administered twice a year, the injectable provides sustained protection against HIV and is expected to improve adherence among those who struggle with daily prevention methods.

“The phased rollout will begin at 133 healthcare facilities across Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and the West Rand. Gauteng, as the country’s most populous province and one with a high HIV burden, has been identified as a key implementation site in the national programme aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”

Lenacapavir is a long-acting form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) designed for HIV-negative individuals at substantial risk of infection. It complements existing prevention methods such as oral PrEP, HIV testing services, condom use, voluntary medical male circumcision, and post-exposure prophylaxis.

“To ensure readiness, healthcare workers, pharmacists, programme managers, and data personnel have undergone training, and monitoring systems and clinical guidelines have been implemented to support the safe and effective delivery of the programme.”

The first phase will prioritise populations most vulnerable to HIV infection. These include adolescent girls and boys, young women and men, key populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender persons, and people who inject drugs, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.

In addition to service rollout, the department will intensify public awareness efforts through facility activations, community dialogues, media campaigns, radio programmes, peer education and social media platforms.

GDoH highlights that Lenacapavir forms part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package and does not replace other critical interventions such as regular HIV testing, condom use, STI prevention and treatment, voluntary medical male circumcision and treatment for people living with HIV.