Wealth Pakistan International Desk
LONDON, Oct 20 (BBC) — A long-acting HIV prevention jab has been approved for NHS patients in England and Wales, marking a major step toward ending new HIV transmissions by 2030.
The cabotegravir (CAB-LA) injection, given every two months, offers an alternative to daily HIV prevention pills. Experts say it will make access easier and more discreet for those at high risk of infection. Scotland already offers the treatment, and the latest approval brings policy alignment across the United Kingdom.
How the HIV prevention jab works
Cabotegravir is part of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a preventive therapy for HIV-negative individuals. It dramatically reduces the risk of infection when used correctly. The medicine is injected into the muscle six times a year, replacing daily pills.
It is intended for use alongside safer-sex practices such as condoms. The drug, developed by ViiV Healthcare, costs about £7,000 per year, though the NHS has negotiated a confidential discount with the manufacturer.
Greater convenience and privacy
Daily oral PrEP remains effective, but some people find it difficult to take regularly because of stigma, privacy concerns, or unstable living situations. For them, the new HIV prevention jab provides both convenience and discretion.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the approval “perfectly embodies what this government aims to deliver — cutting-edge treatments that save lives.”
Looking ahead to future treatments
While cabotegravir marks a breakthrough, another injectable therapy, lenacapavir, is being tested and could be administered once a year. Experts believe it may further revolutionize HIV prevention in the future.
Dr Michael Brady, National Advisor for LGBT+ Health at NHS England, said the long-acting HIV prevention jab gives doctors a “powerful new option” for patients who cannot take oral tablets.
Rollout and patient response
People who use PrEP have welcomed the new jab. Dom Baldwin, a regular user, said, “I’m over the moon. HIV is no longer a death sentence, and prevention has come a long way.”
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said the jab will be available through NHS sexual-health clinics in the coming months. Around 1,000 people will receive it initially, while others will continue on PrEP tablets.
Charities such as the Terrence Higgins Trust have called for faster rollout to avoid long waiting times and to reach underserved groups.
Tackling inequality in HIV prevention
Official data shows PrEP use continues to rise. In 2024, 146,098 HIV-negative people were identified as at risk, with 76% starting or continuing prevention treatment. Uptake is highest among gay and bisexual men but lower among Black African heterosexual women and men.
Experts say expanding PrEP access and offering options like cabotegravir will help close these gaps and strengthen the UK’s 2030 target for zero new HIV transmissions.
This story was originally published by BBC.