East Africa Rolls Out Six?Month HIV Prevention Injection

Nairobi — In a major step forward for HIV prevention in Africa, Kenya has become the first country in East Africa to roll out the long?acting injectable drug lenacapavir, which only needs to be administered twice a year. The initiative aims to expand access to this powerful preventive option, especially among populations with limited access to daily medication.

Lenacapavir has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission and is now being offered in select health centres in Kenya, followed by initial doses arriving in Uganda and plans underway for rollout in Tanzania. Health officials emphasise training health workers and strengthening supply chains to ensure broad access. Public health experts hope this new strategy will improve uptake and impact HIV rates in the region.