The World’s Only Twice-A-Year Shot to Prevent HIV Could Stop Transmission — If People Can Get It

June 24, 2025

The U.S. has approved lenacapavir, the world's only twice-yearly shot to prevent HIV infection, which showed remarkable effectiveness in clinical trials. Marketed as Yeztugo for prevention, this medication nearly eliminated new infections in high-risk populations and offers a compelling alternative to daily pills that people often forget to take. While experts believe this new option could significantly impact HIV transmission rates, concerns about healthcare system changes and funding cuts threaten its potential reach.

Who is affected

People at high risk for HIV infection, including women who need protection they can use without a partner's knowledge
Gay men and gender-nonconforming people in the U.S. and other countries hard-hit by HIV
Young women and teen girls in South Africa and Uganda (from the clinical trials)
The approximately 30,000 Americans and 1.3 million people worldwide who experience new HIV infections each year
Vulnerable populations who rely on public health services and Medicaid for prevention
People in 120 poor countries mostly in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean who may eventually receive generic versions
People in middle-income countries like those in Latin America who aren't included in Gilead's cost-reduction arrangements

What action is being taken

Gilead Sciences is releasing Yeztugo, a twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention drug
Gilead is making arrangements with six generic drug makers to produce low-cost versions for 120 poor countries
The company is planning to supply enough shots for 2 million people in those countries at no profit until generics become available
Some researchers who tested the shot are advising patients to use cold packs to counter injection-site pain
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima is criticizing the drug's price as still being too high

Why it matters

The shot nearly eliminated new HIV infections in clinical trials, performing better than daily pills
It provides six-month protection, making it the longest-lasting HIV prevention option available
The twice-yearly schedule could attract people who are wary of frequent doctor visits or stigma from daily pills
Current PrEP methods are underutilized with only about 400,000 Americans using some form (a fraction of those who would benefit)
States with high PrEP usage have seen decreases in HIV infection rates while rates continue rising elsewhere
Global efforts to end the HIV pandemic by 2030 have stalled, with over 30,000 new infections annually in the U.S. and about 1.3 million worldwide
About half of new infections occur in women, who often need protection they can use discreetly

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint