Zimbabwe has started a phase one rollout of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection given twice yearly. Nyasha Sayi, a 31-year-old sex worker from Epworth near Harare, recently received her first dose. Officials told a 31 January meeting in Harare that an estimated 2,000 people have already been given the injection.
The programme runs at 11 sites and aims to reach about 46,000 people considered at high risk, including sex workers, men who have sex with men and other key populations. In February the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe announced a wind down of major US-supported health interventions after a diplomatic dispute over a proposed US$300 million deal.
The disagreement has put future supplies of lenacapavir at risk. Scientists warn that delays in follow-up injections could lead to drug resistance because drug levels fall over time. Trial data presented at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections showed a Phase 3 PURPOSE 1 participant who missed a dose contracted HIV 16 months after the last injection. Zimbabwean authorities say current supplies are not immediately threatened, but some people like Sayi are unsure about getting their next dose.
Difficult words
- lenacapavir — an HIV drug given as injections
- rollout — the process of starting a new programme
- long-acting — works for a long time without new doses
- high risk — having a greater chance of harm or disease
- wind down — to reduce or end a programme slowly
- drug resistance — when a medicine becomes less effective
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you get a long-acting HIV prevention injection given twice a year? Why or why not?
- How could uncertainty about future supplies affect people’s willingness to continue the injections?
- What could health officials do to reassure people like Nyasha Sayi about getting their next dose?
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