Nigeria gets 11,520 units of revolutionary new shot to prevent HIV

Nigeria has made significant strides in its efforts to combat HIV with the arrival of the first batch of lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting injectable drug that is expected to revolutionize HIV prevention and accelerate progress toward eliminating the disease by 2030.

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The country officially took delivery of 11,520 doses of the injection at the Federal Central Stores in Oshodi, Lagos, with a total of 52,000 doses expected to arrive in three batches as part of a Global Fund-supported initiative.

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Nigeria's selection as one of nine countries globally for the early rollout of lenacapavir underscores its crucial role in the global HIV response, highlighting the country's strategic importance in the fight against the disease.

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According to Pharm. Mohammed Patiko, Head of Procurement and Supply Chain Management at the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, the delivery of lenacapavir marks a critical milestone in expanding Nigeria's HIV prevention toolkit, with the injection expected to reduce infections and transform the country's approach to HIV prevention.

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Patiko noted that the target population for the injection includes serodiscordant couples, individuals at risk of HIV/AIDS, and key populations such as men who have sex with men, female sex workers, and transgender persons, with the injection set to be provided free of charge to clients enrolled in the National HIV Programme pilot and study.

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The pilot phase will be implemented in eight states, including Kwara, Gombe, Ebonyi, Anambra, FCT, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Benue, with the injection available at designated health facilities in these states, and distribution expected to commence next week through existing logistics systems.

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Unlike daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, which has been associated with adherence challenges, lenacapavir offers a more convenient alternative, with the long-acting injectable administered twice yearly, and public health experts believing it could dramatically improve uptake, particularly among high-risk groups.

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Dr. Oladipupo Fisher, State AIDS Programme Coordinator in Lagos, emphasized that the introduction of lenacapavir strengthens Nigeria's multi-pronged prevention strategy, with the country leveraging a combination of prevention tools, including oral PrEP, vaginal rings, and other injectables, alongside aggressive testing and treatment campaigns.

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Fisher stated that Nigeria is on track to eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030, with prevention products like lenacapavir crucial to achieving global targets, reducing new infections, and contributing to epidemic control by 2030, and that increased testing and treatment enrollment remain key strategies.

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Pharm. Chiagozie Mgbemena of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria noted that the injection is safe, with any drug approved meeting safety standards, and that pharmacovigilance systems are in place to track adverse drug reactions, with patients set to receive counseling and education to ensure proper use and minimize risks.

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With approximately 1.9 million people living with HIV in Nigeria, innovations like lenacapavir could mark a turning point in reversing the epidemic, simplifying prevention, and expanding access, allowing the country to close longstanding gaps in adherence and reach populations most at risk.