HIV test. Credit: Towfiqu barbhuiya, Pexels
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recommended the global rollout of injectable lenacapavir (LEN), a long-acting HIV prevention jab that only needs to be taken twice a year.
The announcement was made on Monday, July 14, 2025, during the 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) in Kigali, Rwanda.
“While an HIV vaccine remains elusive, lenacapavir is the next best thing,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, describing it as “a long-acting antiretroviral shown in trials to prevent almost all HIV infections among those at risk” (UN News).
LEN is the first-ever injectable PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) drug that only requires two injections per year. It’s being hailed as a game-changer for people who struggle with taking daily pills, especially in communities facing stigma, poor access to healthcare, or other socio-economic barriers.
The jab has already been approved by US health authorities as of June 2025 and now joins WHO’s list of recommended HIV prevention tools, which also includes:
- Daily oral PrEP
- Injectable cabotegravir (every two months)
- Dapivirine vaginal ring
According to WHO, this new tool could “reshape the global HIV response” and play a crucial role in curbing infections among key and priority populations, such as:
- Sex workers
- Male gay sex
- Transgender people
- People who inject drugs
- Prisoners
- Children and adolescents
1.3 million new HIV infections in 2024
Despite ongoing prevention efforts, 1.3 million people acquired HIV last year, including 120,000 children, according to WHO estimates. Roughly 40.8 million people were living with the virus by the end of 2024, with 65 per cent based in Africa. Globally, 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes in the same year (WHO).
Although access to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is expanding – 31.6 million people were on treatment in 2024 (up from 30.3 million in 2023) – WHO says more must be done, especially as global health funding declines.
To improve accessibility, WHO now supports the use of rapid HIV testing kits alongside LEN, replacing the traditional lab-based tests that are often expensive and complex. This opens the door for the jab to be delivered in pharmacies, clinics, and via telehealth.
“We have the tools and the knowledge to end AIDS… what we need now is bold implementation of these recommendations, grounded in equity and powered by communities,” said Dr Meg Doherty, WHO Director of Global HIV Programmes (UN News).
WHO’s call comes at a time when global HIV funding is being slashed, including reductions to PEPFAR, the United States’ flagship anti-HIV programme in Africa. In response, WHO released new operational guidance urging countries to prioritise essential HIV services despite financial strain.
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