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Zimbabwe rolls out lenacapavir for HIV prevention.
Summary
Zimbabwe has begun administering lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug administered twice a year, targeting more than 46,000 people at high risk across 24 sites with funding from the U.S. and the Global Fund.
Content
Zimbabwe's health authorities have begun administering lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable for HIV prevention. The programme was launched this month and will be rolled out in phases. It is intended to reach more than 46,000 people at high risk across 24 sites. The effort is funded by the U.S. and the Global Fund.
Key details:
- The rollout makes Zimbabwe one of the first countries globally to introduce lenacapavir for HIV prevention.
- Lenacapavir was developed by Gilead Sciences and is given as a subcutaneous injection twice a year.
- Officials say the drug could help overcome adherence challenges linked to daily oral PrEP pills.
- The programme will initially target over 46,000 people at high risk across 24 sites nationwide.
- Early adopters received injections earlier this month, and a community leader in Epworth reported encouraging others to be injected.
- Zimbabwe has reported achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 treatment targets.
Summary:
The introduction of lenacapavir adds a long-acting prevention option that officials report may address adherence limitations of daily oral PrEP. The rollout will proceed in phases, with further distribution and injections planned as the programme expands across the 24 sites.
