Gauteng has exceeded its first monthly target for the rollout of Lenacapavir, a new long-acting HIV prevention injection.
According to the Gauteng Department of Health, 6,130 eligible clients started Lenacapavir between 8 June 2026 and the end of June. This was 31% above the province’s initial target of 4,672 initiations.
The department said the Gauteng Lenacapavir rollout had reached 131% of its monthly target during the first phase. Eyewitness News also reported that more than 6,000 eligible people had received the treatment since the phased rollout began on 8 June 2026.
Lenacapavir is offered to HIV-negative people who face a substantial risk of acquiring HIV. It is administered every six months and forms part of South Africa’s wider plan to reduce new HIV infections and help end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Tshwane Records Highest Uptake
The Gauteng Department of Health said the injection is currently available at 133 public health facilities across the province.
Tshwane recorded the highest uptake, with 2,216 initiations. Johannesburg followed with 1,981, while Ekurhuleni recorded 1,435. Sedibeng accounted for 377 initiations, and the West Rand recorded 121.
“The Department has noted strong early uptake of Lenacapavir services across all five health districts in the province,” the department said.
The province said all participating facilities have enough stock to support demand. Reporting facilities had more than 7,400 injection packs and more than 7,500 oral tablet packs available.
In addition, 9,830 Lenacapavir packs were delivered to the provincial Medical Supplies Depot on 26 June 2026 to support the expansion of the programme.
Rollout Forms Part of National HIV Prevention Drive
The Gauteng Lenacapavir rollout follows South Africa’s national introduction of the HIV prevention injection. Earlier reports said Gauteng had been allocated enough stock to initiate more than 56,000 eligible clients by March 2027.
SABC News reported in June that Gauteng had already received an initial allocation to initiate just over 18,000 people, with more stock expected quarterly. The Associated Press also reported that South Africa secured first-year doses for 456,000 people as part of the broader national rollout.
Health officials, however, stressed that Lenacapavir does not replace other prevention methods. The department said the injection does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections and does not prevent unintended pregnancies.
It urged users to continue practising safer sex. This includes consistent and correct condom use, regular STI screening, and access to sexual and reproductive health services.
Responses and Public Health Caution
The Gauteng Department of Health credited healthcare workers and facility teams for the early uptake across the province.
The department also warned the public not to treat Lenacapavir as a stand-alone prevention tool. While the injection adds an important option for HIV prevention, officials said people should still use other proven protection methods.