HIV check. Credit score: Towfiqu barbhuiya, Pexels
The World Well being Group (WHO) has formally really useful the worldwide rollout of injectable lenacapavir (LEN), a long-acting HIV prevention jab that solely must be taken twice a 12 months.
The announcement was made on Monday, July 14, 2025, throughout the thirteenth Worldwide AIDS Society Convention (IAS 2025) in Kigali, Rwanda.
“Whereas an HIV vaccine stays elusive, lenacapavir is the following smartest thing,” mentioned WHO Director-Normal Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, describing it as “a long-acting antiretroviral proven in trials to stop nearly all HIV infections amongst these in danger” (UN Information).
LEN is the first-ever injectable PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) drug that solely requires two injections per 12 months. It’s being hailed as a game-changer for individuals who battle with taking each day drugs, particularly in communities going through stigma, poor entry to healthcare, or different socio-economic boundaries.
The jab has already been accredited by US well being authorities as of June 2025 and now joins WHO’s checklist of really useful HIV prevention instruments, which additionally consists of:
- Day by day oral PrEP
- Injectable cabotegravir (each two months)
- Dapivirine vaginal ring
In line with WHO, this new instrument may “reshape the worldwide HIV response” and play an important position in curbing infections amongst key and precedence populations, similar to:
- Intercourse employees
- Male homosexual intercourse
- Transgender folks
- Individuals who inject medicine
- Prisoners
- Kids and adolescents
1.3 million new HIV infections in 2024
Regardless of ongoing prevention efforts, 1.3 million folks acquired HIV final 12 months, together with 120,000 youngsters, in line with WHO estimates. Roughly 40.8 million folks have been dwelling with the virus by the tip of 2024, with 65 per cent primarily based in Africa. Globally, 630,000 folks died from HIV-related causes in the identical 12 months (WHO).
Though entry to anti-retroviral remedy (ART) is increasing – 31.6 million folks have been on remedy in 2024 (up from 30.3 million in 2023) – WHO says extra have to be completed, particularly as world well being funding declines.
To enhance accessibility, WHO now helps the usage of speedy HIV testing kits alongside LEN, changing the normal lab-based assessments which can be typically costly and complicated. This opens the door for the jab to be delivered in pharmacies, clinics, and by way of telehealth.
“Now we have the instruments and the information to finish AIDS… what we want now could be daring implementation of those suggestions, grounded in fairness and powered by communities,” mentioned Dr Meg Doherty, WHO Director of International HIV Programmes (UN Information).
WHO’s name comes at a time when world HIV funding is being slashed, together with reductions to PEPFAR, the USA’ flagship anti-HIV programme in Africa. In response, WHO launched new operational steerage urging nations to prioritise important HIV providers regardless of monetary pressure.
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