South Africa Launches HIV Prevention Jab

Why this is here: South Africa, with 139,521 new HIV infections in 2025, will require more lenacapavir doses than any other country to meaningfully reduce transmission rates.

South Africa will begin distributing lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention injection, on June 5 in Mpumalanga province. The injection, given every six months, offers a new option for preventing HIV transmission, particularly for those who struggle with daily pill adherence. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the initial rollout will reach 360 government clinics.

While considered a major advancement, successful implementation hinges on robust health systems and consistent funding. The Global Fund will finance enough doses for roughly 456,000 people over two years, but experts estimate between one and two million people per year need access to significantly lower new infections.

Recent funding cuts from donors like Pepfar, particularly after a reduction in early 2025 under the Trump administration, threaten to weaken prevention programs. These cuts have already impacted HIV testing, diagnosis, and access to prevention medication—falling by 41%—complicating efforts to effectively deliver lenacapavir. The work to secure adequate funding and build strong prevention infrastructure continues.