The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recommended a groundbreaking new weapon in the fight against HIV—an injectable drug that provides six months of protection with just two shots a year. The announcement, made at the 13th International AIDS Society Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, marks a major step forward in HIV prevention, offering hope for millions at risk of infection.

Lenacapavir, the newly endorsed drug, is the first long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option that requires only bi-annual dosing. Unlike daily pills, which can be difficult for some people to take consistently, this new method ensures continuous protection with minimal effort. WHO leaders have hailed it as a potential game changer, especially for high-risk groups who struggle with adherence to daily medication.

“While an HIV vaccine remains out of reach, lenacapavir is the next best thing—a long-acting solution proven in trials to prevent nearly all HIV infections in vulnerable populations,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The endorsement comes at a critical time, as global progress in HIV prevention has stalled. In 2024 alone, 1.3 million new infections were reported worldwide, with key groups—including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, people who inject drugs, and those in detention facilities—still facing the highest risks.

Africa remains the hardest-hit region, home to about 65% of the 40.8 million people living with HIV. The toll of the epidemic continues to be devastating, with 630,000 AIDS-related deaths globally in 2024, including 120,000 children who contracted the virus. Health experts believe that lenacapavir could help turn the tide by providing a more accessible and discreet prevention method.

This new option joins another long-acting injectable PrEP drug, cabotegravir (CAB-LA), which requires more frequent injections. The advantage of lenacapavir lies in its twice-yearly dosing, making it easier for people with limited access to healthcare or those who face stigma around taking daily HIV prevention pills.

To support the rollout of lenacapavir, WHO has also introduced updated guidelines to simplify HIV testing and treatment. A new rapid-testing approach will allow community health workers and telehealth providers to deliver long-acting PrEP, expanding access to remote and underserved populations. Additionally, WHO now recommends long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people already living with HIV. The combination of cabotegravir and rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) has been approved for patients who are virally suppressed and do not have active hepatitis B, offering an alternative to daily oral treatment.

Beyond HIV-specific measures, WHO has expanded its guidance to integrate HIV services with other healthcare programs. This includes linking HIV care with treatment for noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health conditions. Updated screening protocols for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia—particularly in high-risk groups—have also been introduced.

The organization also addressed emerging health threats, issuing new recommendations for managing cases of HIV and mpox co-infection. Rapid initiation of ART is now advised for people diagnosed with both conditions, along with routine testing for HIV and syphilis in suspected mpox cases.

Dr. Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis, and STI Programmes, called for urgent action from governments worldwide. “We have the tools and the knowledge to end AIDS as a public health threat,” she said. “What we need now is bold, equitable implementation of these recommendations, driven by strong community engagement.”

With global HIV funding under pressure and competing health priorities, WHO has also released operational guidance to help countries sustain essential services. The endorsement of lenacapavir represents a major milestone, giving the world a powerful new tool to curb new infections. Experts emphasize that success will depend on how quickly and fairly the drug can be distributed—especially in regions and among populations where HIV remains a persistent crisis.

As the fight against HIV enters a new phase, lenacapavir offers a beacon of hope. For the first time, people at risk of HIV have a highly effective prevention method that doesn’t rely on daily pills. If widely adopted, this innovation could bring the world one step closer to ending the AIDS epidemic for good.