WHO Recommends Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir Shot for HIV Prevention
New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recommended the use of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug, as an additional option for HIV prevention worldwide.
The announcement was made on Monday during the 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) on HIV Science in Kigali, Rwanda. The WHO’s policy recommendation follows the recent approval of lenacapavir by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month.
Lenacapavir, marketed under the brand name Yeztugo, is the first long-acting injectable PrEP product that requires only two doses per year. According to WHO, this new option provides a highly effective alternative to daily oral pills, especially benefiting people who face difficulties with daily adherence, stigma, or limited access to health care.
“While an HIV vaccine remains elusive, lenacapavir is the next best thing: a long-acting antiretroviral shown in trials to prevent almost all HIV infections among those at risk," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
This recommendation comes at a time when global HIV prevention and treatment efforts are under strain due to funding cuts. The United States, the largest contributor to global HIV response, halted all assistance from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) on January 20, following the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
A recent report by UNAIDS warned that if U.S. support is permanently withdrawn, it could result in more than four million additional AIDS-related deaths and six million new HIV infections by 2029.
Despite its promise, lenacapavir’s high cost estimated at $28,218 per person annually may hinder its widespread adoption, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
WHO has called on governments, donors, and global health partners to begin integrating lenacapavir into national HIV prevention programs immediately. The organization emphasized the need for careful monitoring of uptake, adherence, and real-world impact.
“We have the tools and the knowledge to end AIDS as a public health problem,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes. “What we need now is bold implementation of these recommendations, grounded in equity and powered by communities.”
(With inputs from IANS)
Jyoti Kumari joined Medical Dialogues in 2025 as a Journalism Intern. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from the Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi. She is passionate about news reporting, content creation, social media, and emerging media trends.