Nigeria Begins Rollout of New Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Shot, Excludes Pregnant Women

Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian government has initiated the rollout of Lenacapavir, a new long-acting injectable drug for HIV prevention, but has restricted its use in pregnant women due to a lack of sufficient safety data.

The phased introduction begins in eight states: Anambra, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Officials emphasized that Lenacapavir, administered once every six months as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is a preventive measure, not a treatment for HIV. It is intended to offer an alternative to daily oral pills, particularly for individuals who may struggle with adherence.

Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), stated that while global trials indicate the drug is largely safe, evidence does not currently support its use during pregnancy. She also noted that the injection does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancy.

The rollout follows Nigeria's selection as one of nine early adopter countries by the Global Fund. The Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, announced that approximately 52,000 doses have been received to kickstart the program, with a national launch and facility-level implementation underway.

Health authorities stressed that the new injection is designed to complement, not replace, existing HIV prevention methods such as oral PrEP and condom use. The phased approach will allow for monitoring before any potential nationwide expansion.