A new twice-yearly injection known as lenacapavir is being rolled out in nine of the countries most affected by HIV, offering near complete protection against infection. The United Nations has described it as 'the closest thing we have to a vaccine' and hopes it could end the Aids epidemic by 2030.
Eswatini, a southern African kingdom once considered the epicentre of the HIV epidemic, is the first country to receive the drug. Among the first recipients is Lianne, a 24-year-old sex worker who lost both parents to Aids at age 13. She earns under £25 a week and previously could not access HIV preventative medication (PrEP). 'That is why I am so happy today, it's protection,' she said after receiving the injection.
The rollout comes after devastating cuts to foreign aid by the US, UK and other European countries, which had previously funded around half of Eswatini's HIV response. The cuts led to the closure of mobile clinics that provided free HIV prevention therapy, with deadly consequences. A friend and fellow sex worker recently died after losing access to life-sustaining medication.
Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, can cost up to $24,000 (£18,000) a year in wealthy countries but is being provided at a significantly reduced cost to poorer nations. The Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria, together with the US government and others, aims to deliver the drug to three million people by 2028. Dianne Stewart from the Global Fund called it 'a defining moment for the Aids epidemic'.
Despite the progress, concerns remain about the extent of the rollout. The Independent’s modelling suggests that continued aid cuts could lead to millions more deaths and infections, as well as a doubling of medication-resistant strains. David Maseko of HealthPlus for men noted that the cuts have created gaps in care, with many at-risk individuals now off their HIV medication and PrEP.
