A new HIV prevention option called lenacapavir is giving people another way to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV without taking a daily PrEP pill.
Lenacapavir is a long-acting injectable form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that is administered twice a year. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends it as an additional HIV prevention option because studies have shown that it is highly effective at reducing the risk of HIV acquisition.
However, it is important to understand that lenacapavir should not be described as a 100% guarantee against HIV.
What is lenacapavir?
Lenacapavir is an antiretroviral medicine that can be used as long-acting PrEP for people who are HIV-negative and at risk of acquiring HIV.
One of its major differences from traditional oral PrEP is the dosing schedule. Instead of taking a PrEP tablet every day, lenacapavir is given as an injection twice a year.
This can be particularly useful for people who find daily pills difficult to maintain because of adherence challenges, stigma or access to healthcare.
Clinical studies have shown very high levels of protection.
In the PURPOSE 1 study among cisgender women, there were no HIV infections among participants who received lenacapavir during the study period.
The PURPOSE 2 study also demonstrated high protection in another population.
These results have made lenacapavir an important new development in HIV prevention. WHO subsequently recommended twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir as an additional PrEP choice.
So why isn’t it called 100% protection?
Even when a prevention method is extremely effective, healthcare professionals generally avoid describing it as an absolute guarantee.
For lenacapavir to provide the intended protection, it must be used correctly and according to the recommended schedule. People using injectable PrEP also need HIV testing before starting and during follow-up, because PrEP is intended for people who do not already have HIV. WHO specifically recommends HIV rapid testing as part of the delivery of long-acting injectable PrEP.
There are also still important questions about how the medicine performs as it is rolled out more widely in real-world settings.
What about Nigeria?
Nigeria has already introduced lenacapavir as a new long-acting HIV prevention option.
According to WHO, Nigeria launched the intervention in March 2026, with an initial implementation planned across selected states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The introduction gives people more choices when it comes to HIV prevention, particularly those who may struggle with daily oral PrEP.
Lenacapavir is designed to prevent HIV acquisition. It does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, syphilis or chlamydia, and it is not a contraceptive.
People should therefore speak with a healthcare professional about the combination of prevention methods that is appropriate for them.
Lenacapavir is a major development in HIV prevention and offers the convenience of twice-yearly dosing.
But it is important not to describe it as an HIV vaccine or say that it provides a 100% guarantee against infection.
It is a highly effective HIV prevention option when used according to medical guidance, alongside appropriate HIV testing and follow-up.
For anyone considering PrEP, the safest approach is to discuss the available options with a qualified healthcare professional and follow the recommended schedule.
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