JOHANNESBURG - South Africa has received a major boost in the fight against HIV.
The first batch of a groundbreaking, twice-yearly prevention injection has arrived.
The 37, 920 doses of first batch of Lenacapavir landed at OR Tambo International Airport from Dublin.
Health officials say this marks a significant step forward in expanding HIV prevention options.
Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said the injection, which has already been use in countries like the United States will ensure high compliance and reshape the country's HIV response.
“One of the advantages is that it’s taken only twice a year, which means compliance is going to be very very high because then people won’t have to remember taking a pill every day.”
The Department will in the next few weeks announce the official launch of this game changer where the phased implementation plan will be outlined.
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Motsoaledi said the first roll out will prioritise the most vulnerable groups including adolescent girls and young women pregnant and lactating women, sex workers and men having sex with men, among others.
He added:
“We are going to start with those groups in 350 facilities situated in high burdened districts of the country. From there, we will go to all the other districts.”
Alleviating fears, Motsoaledi said the injection was safe and guaranteed 100 percent safety for young girls in the targeted age groups.
“We are giving people a vaccine which when taken appropriately twice a year will guarantee you no HIV infection. We do believe it is going to work.”
He said health workers in the identified districts have also received adequate training to administer the jab.