Zimbabwe to scale up Lenacapavir doses.
- 365healthdiaries
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Hamu Madzedze
Online Health and Gender Editor
Zimbabwe is scaling up its rollout of Lenacapavir (LEN), the twice-a-year HIV prevention injection, after seeing strong uptake among high-risk groups.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), the long-acting injectable is gaining traction because it gives clients more safety and more control over their own health.
Zimbabwe officially began administering LEN in February 2026 through a phased approach.
The rollout started in 12 clinics across Bulawayo, Harare, Kwekwe, Gweru, Gwanda, Rusape, and Shamva. In just a few months, 1,478 people at risk of HIV have already received the preventive injection.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care(MOHCC) in it's Phase 2 is now set to expand access with an additional 43,000 doses and this will push the 2026 national target to 46,500 people.
MoHCC HIV prevention officer Dr Idah Moyo shared the update at a media workshop in Harare on Thursday which was organised by MoHCC, the Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID), the Health Communicators Forum, and funded by the United States Government.
“From client experiences, there is generally high uptake,” Dr Moyo said.
Image: Dr Idah Moyo HIV Promotions Officer in the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
She added that people are actually interested in taking LEN because of improved safety and autonomy.
Lenacapavir is conveniet because it's administered twice a year which means less visits to hospital visits and this leads to adherence.
Instead of daily pills or frequent clinic visits, HIV-negative clients at risk only need two injections per year after the initial loading dose. That’s fewer trips to the clinic and less daily stress.
OPHID Technical Director Dr Pugie Chimberengwa said the early acceptance means it’s time to refine the rollout. “The Ministry has rolled out LEN in a few facilities, 12 to be specific, where we are taking it step by step and then perfecting how we roll it out,” he explained.
HIV-negative clients who are at risk can switch to LEN from other prevention methods like oral PrEP. The goal is to give people more choice so prevention fits their lifestyle.
More about Lenacapavir
LEN is the first long-acting HIV prevention option that only requires 2 shots per year*after the initial loading dose. It’s a capsid inhibitor that works differently from daily oral PrEP. Clinical trials showed it provides high protection against HIV acquisition when taken as prescribed.
Key points:
1. Dosing: 2 subcutaneous injections per year after the initial loading dose.
2. Who it’s for: Adults and adolescents weighing at least 35kg who are HIV-negative but at risk of HIV through sex.
3. Benefits: High efficacy, fewer clinic visits, and more privacy/discretion compared to daily pills.
4. Safety Side :effects are usually mild - injection site reactions are the most common. It’s approved for use in people who can’t use oral PrEP or prefer a long-acting option.
5. Global impact: WHO added LEN to its HIV prevention guidelines in 2025. Countries like South Africa, Kenya, and now Zimbabwe are leading early rollout in Africa.
LEN will not replace condoms or other prevention tools, but it adds a powerful option. For people who struggle with daily adherence or want more autonomy, it’s a game changer.
Zimbabwe’s push to reach 46,500 users by December 2026, starting from the February 2026 launch, shows how demand for long-acting prevention is shifting HIV strategy from daily management to long-term protection.
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