THERE is a glimmer of hope in the fight against HIV in South Africa, as a vaccine has arrived that will help protect those who have not yet been infected with the virus. This injection, Lenacapavir, will help protect those who have not yet been infected with the virus from re-introducing it. Those who are not infected will be vaccinated twice a year.
The Ministry of Health announced that 37,920 Lenacapavir injections have arrived in the country. The spokesperson for the department, Mr. Foster Mohale, said that people will be vaccinated twice a year.
“A person will be injected once in six months, and then injected again in the following six months so that they are not infected with HIV. The aim is to reduce the number of people who are infected with this virus.”
He said they intend to protect young girls, young women as well as men who sleep with other men.
“We also aim to protect prostitutes and others. We want to make it clear that this injection will protect those who have not yet been infected, it is not a cure for AIDS.”
He said that they will soon introduce the injection to the public and it is expected to be introduced by the president of the country. The DA welcomed their arrival, saying that they will help a lot in the fight against HIV in this country.
It said that those who have not been exposed will be protected from being infected by this virus.
“This country has the highest number of people with HIV in the world. About 8 million are living with HIV in this country. About 6 million are taking ARV drugs. This injection will change things in this country.”
This group said they want the Ministry to appear in Parliament so that it will introduce a plan to distribute the injection to the public immediately.