More than 2,300 people in Cape Town have received lenacapavir PrEP injections as the Western Cape continues to expand access to long-acting HIV prevention.
Picture: PixabayAccording to the Western Cape Department of Health and
Wellness, 2,339 people have received the lenacapavir injection, which provides
HIV prevention for six months at a time.
The long-acting treatment offers an alternative to daily
oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), particularly for people who may find it
difficult to take a tablet every day.
The department said that more than 87% of those who have
received the injections were not previously using daily oral PrEP. This
suggests that the availability of the six-monthly injection is reaching people
who had not previously used oral PrEP as part of their HIV prevention.
Western Cape Health and Wellness MEC Mireille Wenger is encouraging
residents to speak to healthcare workers to find out whether they qualify for
the treatment.
Lenacapavir PrEP forms part of efforts to strengthen HIV
prevention and make prevention options more accessible to communities. Unlike
daily oral PrEP, which requires regular tablet use, the long-acting injection
is administered twice a year.
Residents who are interested in the injection are
encouraged to speak to a healthcare professional for information about
eligibility, availability and whether the option is appropriate for them.
The growing number of people receiving lenacapavir PrEP
highlights the importance of providing a range of HIV prevention options and
ensuring that people can access methods that fit their individual needs and
lifestyles.
Done By: Keelyn Jardien
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