Twice-a-Year HIV Prevention Jab Approved: What It Means for Kenya and Beyond

A new dawn is breaking in the global fight against HIV, and Kenya stands to gain significantly. 

In a major medical milestone, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lenacapavir, a revolutionary injectable drug developed by Gilead Sciences, to prevent HIV infections in both adults and adolescents. Marketed under the name Yeztugo, the drug offers protection through a twice-yearly injection, eliminating the need for daily oral medication. 

This breakthrough couldn’t have come at a better time for Kenya, a country ranked seventh globally in HIV burden, with an estimated 1.4 million people currently living with the virus. The new injection provides a practical and discreet alternative to traditional antiretroviral therapies, especially for those at high risk or facing stigma associated with daily pill regimens. 

Lenacapavir belongs to a novel class of antiretrovirals known as capsid inhibitors, which work by blocking a critical protein needed by HIV to replicate and spread. Clinical trials have shown the drug to be nearly 100% effective in preventing transmission, results that have stirred hope among healthcare professionals, policy-makers, and those living with or vulnerable to the virus. 

Its long-acting nature may particularly benefit populations with poor adherence to daily treatments, addressing one of the long-standing barriers in HIV prevention efforts. 

Following pressure from global health activists, Gilead agreed to license the drug for generic production and prioritised Kenya, alongside South Africa, Nigeria, and 15 other countries, for early access to Yeztugo. This is a key step in ensuring equitable distribution of lifesaving medicine to low- and middle-income countries. 

Kenya has already made remarkable strides in HIV response. It has exceeded the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets and reduced new infections by 28% over the past decade. This new vaccine-like injection could accelerate the nation’s progress even further. 

This breakthrough also comes on the heels of difficult years. Kenya, like many African nations, faced critical shortages of HIV drugs due to a freeze in U.S. foreign aid under the Trump administration. These shortages put lives at risk and hindered progress. The recent FDA approval and global access commitment offer a chance to right past setbacks. 

The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 40 million people globally are living with HIV. Since the epidemic’s emergence in the early 1980s, over 40.4 million deaths have been linked to AIDS-related complications. A simple injection that can protect against the virus for six months could be one of the most important developments in decades. 

As Kenya prepares for rollout, there is growing anticipation and hope that this marks the beginning of a new chapter, one where HIV prevention becomes more accessible, less stigmatized, and ultimately more effective.