The United States launches lenacapavir in Zimbabwe to expand HIV prevention

Community Outreach

HARARE — The United States has launched lenacapavir (LEN) in Zimbabwe, a long‑acting injectable HIV prevention drug that will be administered twice yearly and is expected to support 271,000 people over the next three years while preventing more than 9,000 new infections, U.S. officials said at the national rollout.

At the national launch, Phillip Nervig, United States Deputy Chief of Mission, described the introduction of LEN as a milestone in decades of U.S.–Zimbabwe cooperation on HIV. The injectable formulation, developed by Gilead Sciences, is designed to improve adherence by reducing the need for daily pills. Health authorities will prioritise young women, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and other at‑risk populations where adherence challenges have limited the impact of oral pre‑exposure prophylaxis.

U.S. officials estimate that over three years, LEN will avert more than 9,000 new HIV infections in Zimbabwe. Nervig framed the figures as lives saved rather than abstract statistics, saying the intervention will protect children, men, and women and help them pursue their futures. The twice‑yearly dosing schedule is expected to address missed doses and stigma‑related barriers that have hindered prevention efforts among key groups.

The United States remains Zimbabwe’s largest health sector donor, having provided more than US$1.9 billion in taxpayer funding to combat HIV and AIDS in the country. That support has helped Zimbabwe surpass the UNAIDS 95‑95‑95 targets, a global benchmark measuring diagnosis, treatment coverage, and viral suppression among people living with HIV. Nervig said U.S. assistance is evolving under the America First Global Health Strategy, with a renewed emphasis on measurable results and sustainability to help countries achieve self‑reliance.

Health authorities will integrate LEN into existing prevention programmes, combining community outreach, clinic‑based services, and targeted campaigns to reach priority groups. Training for healthcare workers, cold‑chain logistics, and monitoring systems will be essential to ensure safe administration and to track uptake and outcomes. Officials said detailed deployment plans and eligibility criteria will be announced as the rollout progresses.

Lenacapavir’s long‑acting profile offers Zimbabwe an opportunity to sustain progress against HIV by reducing new infections and improving prevention coverage among populations that have struggled with daily oral regimens. U.S. and Zimbabwean officials framed the launch as a step toward an AIDS‑free generation, contingent on strong government leadership, community engagement, and continued donor support.

lenacapavir Zimbabwe launch 2026