Twice-a-year HIV prevention shots begin in Africa

The 'HIV' inscription displayed on a screen and illustrative syringes are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on June 20, 2025. [AFP]

South Africa, Eswatini and Zambia on Monday began administering a groundbreaking HIV-prevention injection in the drug's first public rollouts in Africa, which has the world's highest HIV burden.

Lenacapavir, which is taken twice a year, has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9 percent, making it functionally akin to a powerful vaccine.