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HIV

South Africa to Roll Out Revolutionary HIV Prevention Method in 2026

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

South Africa's Health Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, has announced plans to roll out lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention method, as early as March 2026. Lenacapavir offers six months of protection with just two annual doses and has shown remarkable efficacy in clinical trials, with 100% protection among women and 96% protection among men who have sex with men and transgender women. The initial rollout will target 23 high-incident districts across six provinces, with a focus on high-performing public clinics and key target populations, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, adolescent girls, female sex workers, and men who have sex with men.

Key Takeaways:

  • The South African government plans to roll out lenacapavir, a revolutionary long-acting injectable HIV prevention method, as early as March 2026.
  • Lenacapavir offers six months of protection with just two annual doses and has shown 100% protection among women and 96% protection among men who have sex with men and transgender women in clinical trials.
  • The initial rollout will target 23 high-incident districts across six provinces, with a focus on high-performing public clinics and key target populations, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, adolescent girls, female sex workers, and men who have sex with men.
  • The Global Fund has provided a US$29 million grant to support approximately 456,000 initiations over two years, translating into 912,000 doses.
  • Pharmaceutical companies, including Gilead and Hetero, will produce the jab at US$40 per person per annum, a significant reduction from US$28,000.
  • The government plans to integrate lenacapavir into domestic financing mechanisms, aiming for routine funding after two years.
  • The goal is to reduce new HIV infections to below 0.1% by 2032, and mathematical modelling suggests that if two to four million people use lenacapavir over 12 to 24 months, South Africa could achieve near-elimination of new HIV infections.

Statistics:

  • 149,000 South Africans acquired HIV in 2022 and 2023 alone.
  • Lenacapavir offers 100% protection among women and 96% protection among men who have sex with men and transgender women in clinical trials.
  • The Global Fund has provided a US$29 million grant to support approximately 456,000 initiations over two years.
  • 912,000 doses of lenacapavir will be produced over two years.
  • The goal is to reduce new HIV infections to below 0.1% by 2032.
  • Mathematical modelling suggests that if two to four million people use lenacapavir over 12 to 24 months, South Africa could achieve near-elimination of new HIV infections.

Sources:

  • "South Africa to roll out revolutionary HIV prevention method in 2026" by SAnews.gov.za, syndicated by SyndiGate Media Inc.
  • World Health Organisation (WHO)
  • Gilead
  • Hetero
  • Gates Foundation
  • Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Global Fund

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