In just seven weeks, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has taken an important step forward in expanding HIV prevention, with nearly nine out of every ten people receiving long-acting Lenacapavir injections choosing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the first time.
Between 8 June and 24 July, healthcare workers administered 2 339 Lenacapavir injections across 22 public health facilities to the communities in the Metro with the highest HIV burden. Of these, 2 049 (87.6%) were people who were not previously taking oral PrEP, meaning the programme is reaching thousands of residents who were previously not using long-acting HIV prevention.
Choice
Besides Lenacapavir, a twice-a-year injection, pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP can also be taken as a daily prescription pill which has been available in South Africa since 2016. Provincial minister of health and wellness Mireille Wenger said the early results demonstrate the value of giving people more choice in how they protect themselves against HIV.
“One of our greatest opportunities to reduce new HIV infections is to ensure that more people who are at risk choose an effective prevention option. What is particularly encouraging about these early results is that almost 88% of people receiving Lenacapavir are new to PrEP. This means we are expanding access to HIV prevention and reaching people who may previously have found daily medication difficult or simply were not using PrEP at all.”
By giving people a long-acting prevention option that is more convenient, we are removing barriers to HIV prevention and giving more residents a greater choice of options to protect themselves against HIV infection. That is why the introduction of Lenacapavir is such an important milestone for the Western Cape.
Lenacapavir is a long-acting form of PrEP that helps prevent HIV infection. Unlike daily oral PrEP, it is administered as an injection every six months, making it an attractive option for eligible individuals who want a simpler prevention method. It is important to note that Lenacapavir is not a vaccine, but a highly effective HIV prevention medicine.
Healthcare workers report that many patients have chosen Lenacapavir because receiving one injection every six months is easier than remembering to take a tablet every day. The programme has also seen clients who previously struggled with daily oral PrEP successfully switch to the long-acting injectable option.
Women and girls first
The rollout has also shown encouraging uptake among women who remain the most at risk group. During the reporting period, 162 pregnant women initiated lenacapavir, while a further seven antenatal patients switched from oral PrEP to injectable PrEP, strengthening HIV prevention during pregnancy.
The highest uptake has been recorded at Nolungile Community Day Centre with 192 administrations; Khayelitsha (Site B) Community Health Centre with 186 administrations and Phumlani Clinic with 182 administrations.
The first phase of the rollout prioritised adolescent girls and young women, women of reproductive age, pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as other key population groups at increased risk of HIV acquisition.
The next consignment of Lenacapavir from the national Department of Health is expected in early August following the completion of the required post-importation quality testing. In the interim, available stock continues to be carefully managed while oral PrEP remains readily available as an effective HIV prevention option.
Every HIV infection we prevent is an opportunity to help someone live a longer, healthier life, and it brings us one step closer to ending HIV as a public health threat.
Wenger said “These early results give us real confidence that long-acting HIV prevention can help us reach more people, particularly those who have found daily oral PrEP difficult to use consistently. As we continue to expand access to Lenacapavir, our focus remains clear: ensuring that every eligible resident has access to the HIV prevention option that works best for them. Every HIV infection we prevent is an opportunity to help someone live a longer, healthier life, and it brings us one step closer to ending HIV as a public health threat.”
ALSO READ: Why breakthrough HIV drugs mean nothing without daily discipline
Residents who would like to find out whether they are eligible for Lenacapavir are encouraged to speak to healthcare workers at one of the participating facilities or visit their nearest public health facility to discuss the HIV prevention options available to them.
While Lenacapavir is currently available at selected health facilities, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness continues to offer a range of HIV prevention options, including free condoms, HIV testing and counselling services, oral PrEP and PEP, enabling people to access the prevention option that best meets your needs.
