By Our Correspondent
National News – The Federal Government has warned pregnant women not to use the newly introduced HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir (LenPrEP), as Nigeria prepares to roll out about 52,000 doses of the long-acting drug.
Health authorities said the directive was issued on Monday in Abuja during a media briefing organised by the National HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STDs Control Programme under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Temitope Ilori, explained that while Lenacapavir has shown strong safety results in global clinical trials, it is not recommended for pregnant women because of limited scientific evidence about its effects during pregnancy.
She stressed that the injection is designed strictly for HIV prevention and not for treatment.
According to Ilori, the new HIV prevention injection is considered a major innovation in the fight against HIV/AIDS but it does not protect users from other sexually transmitted infections such as hepatitis.
She advised individuals to continue using comprehensive protection methods even when accessing new preventive tools.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme, Adebobola Bashorun, said the government plans to expand access to Lenacapavir as funding becomes available.
He noted that the injection would complement existing HIV prevention methods, particularly oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), rather than replace them.
Bashorun added that reported side effects so far have been mild, mainly involving pain at the injection site, and authorities are closely monitoring safety outcomes as the programme progresses.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, said the introduction of the long-acting HIV prevention injection in Nigeria is supported through collaboration with the Global Fund.
He confirmed that 52,000 doses have been secured for the first phase of implementation as part of the government’s strategy to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, is administered twice yearly, offering an alternative to daily HIV prevention pills.
Health officials believe the innovation could improve adherence among people at high risk of HIV infection.
However, experts say its long-term success will depend on funding, equitable access, and effective integration into Nigeria’s broader HIV prevention strategy.
