The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has clarified that the newly introduced long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir (LenPrEP), is not recommended for pregnant women. The announcement comes as Nigeria expands access to the drug, which experts hail as a promising addition to existing HIV prevention tools.
Speaking on Monday at a media parley organised by the National HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STDs Control Programme under the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja, NACA Director-General Temitope Ilori explained that while global studies show a high safety margin for LenPrEP, evidence on its use in pregnancy remains insufficient.
“Even though LenPrEP is considered very safe based on global studies, it is not recommended for pregnant women. It is important to emphasise that this is a preventive intervention, not a treatment”, Ilori said. She also cautioned that the injection does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, including hepatitis.
“People must continue to take comprehensive precautions”, she added.
Also speaking at the event, National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme, Adebobola Bashorun, highlighted government plans to expand access.
“As we scale up, we are exploring catalytic funding to increase the number of doses and extend coverage to populations most at risk”, he said, adding that Lenacapavir is meant to complement, not replace, existing prevention methods such as oral PrEP.
On safety, Bashorun noted that reported side effects have been mild, mostly limited to injection-site reactions.
“The common side effects include pain at the injection site, which is expected. We are actively monitoring for any adverse reactions and so far, the outcomes are encouraging”, he said.
Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, emphasised the role of international support in introducing Lenacapavir, noting the Global Fund’s involvement.
“This drug is being made available through a partnership with the Global Fund. Over time, we expect to engage manufacturers directly and explore pathways for local production”, he said, stressing that technology transfer and domestic manufacturing would be critical for long-term sustainability.
Developed by Gilead Sciences, Lenacapavir is administered as an injection twice a year, offering a more convenient alternative to daily oral PrEP. Nigeria, which has one of the largest HIV burdens globally with an estimated 1.9 million people living with the virus, sees the injection as a key addition to its prevention toolkit.
Public health experts describe Lenacapavir as a “game-changer” but stress that success depends on equitable access, sustained funding, and integration into broader HIV strategies.
Authorities caution that while promising, the injection is not a standalone solution and must be part of a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention.
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