Kenya, among 9 other early adopter countries is set to launch Lenacapavir drug, a groundbreaking long- acting injectable drug for HIV medication, used for treatment and prevention (PrEP) beginning early 2026. This vaccine will be administered twice yearly through injection or oral tablet, providing a highly effective alternative and advancement over daily pills hence reduces dosing frequency to every six months for HIV prevention.
The drug prevents HIV from replicating in the body if exposure occurs, by blocking a key stage in the virus life cycle at multiple stages that include capsid mediated nuclear uptake, assembly and release. It basically bind the viral capsid protein (p24) subunits and over stabilize the shell hence preventing it from releasing its genetic material breaking replication, hence long acting drug.
Being a long acting injectable drug done twice a year, it will improve adherence, hence overcoming problems of memory, lifestyle and stigma associated with daily medication. Trials done in Uganda and South Africa proved the drug’s high efficiency with zero infections among participants.
Kenya aims to curb the rising rates of infection, especially amongst the youth and adolescents and to reduce stigma by those who were initially using the oral pills for PreEPs. In the recent years there has been a rise in the number of new infections at 19% in Kenya ,that is 19,991 in the year 2024.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) targets 15 priority counties including Kisumu, Homa bay and Siaya among others, where the risks are high. According to the reports by MoH, adolescent girls, young women and other key population are at high risk hence the move is essential.
The drug is well tolerated, with most common side effects being the injection site reactions, example swelling, pain that occurred for over 10% of the users. Other notable side effects included nausea, headache, diarrhea and constipation as well as abdominal discomfort.
The anticipated cost for the vaccine is at Ksh 6000 per shot. In as much as the drug plays an important role in curbing HIV spread, it however does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections, therefore there is a need to take caution by the targeted group to avoid sexual immorality. This drug will indeed be a game changer.
