The HIV prevention jab scientists hoped for is finally here. Now comes the hard part

Lenacapavir, the revolutionary anti-HIV jab, has arrived. Now SA and the world must make it work. (Jay Caboz)

South Africa is about to begin one of the most important HIV prevention drives in decades.

Earlier this month, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the country will launch its roll-out of the once-every-six month HIV prevention injection, lenacapavir (LEN), on June 5 in Mpumalanga. Roll-out will be across South Africa, initially at 360 government clinics.

The moment matters.

LEN, an injection taken only twice a year, is one of the biggest advances in HIV prevention. When people not living with HIV take the medicine, it’s almost foolproof in stopping them from getting the virus through sex.