Pretoria – The Department of Health has announced the arrival of the first batch of HIV prevention medicine, Lenacapavir, in South Africa, which consists of 37 920 doses.
“This is part of integrated, differentiated and people-centred HIV prevention services which offer new hope for people who face barriers to existing HIV prevention methods,” the department said in a statement on Tuesday,7 March 2026.
“Lenacapavir will boost the country’s efforts to reduce new HIV infections to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and sustain the HIV response after 2030 in line with the Global AIDS Strategy for 2026–2030.”
The department said this six-monthly injectable arrived in the country last week on Thursday, and was expected to expand HIV prevention choices, improve adherence, especially among the most vulnerable priority groups, including adolescent girls and young women, sex workers, and men having sex with men, among others.
The department said, in the next few weeks, it will announce the official launch of this “game changer,” where the phased implementation plan will be outlined. Lenacapavir is a preventive medicine, not a vaccine, considered one of the most exciting HIV prevention advances in years.
“The Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, is very excited about this development and will, in consultation with the President, announce the date for the launch to be led by the President,” the department said.
The total number of persons living with HIV in South Africa was estimated at approximately eight million or an estimated 12,7% of the total population in 2024 (Mid-year population estimates, 2024).
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