South Africa: Gauteng Receives New Lenacapavir Stock

What the report says

Gauteng’s health department has received another 28,593 Lenacapavir initiation packs as it works to widen access to the long-acting HIV prevention injection across the province. According to SAnews.gov.za, the stock is being sent to 133 participating healthcare facilities, with priority for sites in Tshwane, Johannesburg and Sedibeng that had brief shortages after strong demand following the rollout in June 2026.

The new delivery lifts the total number of initiation packs Gauteng has received so far to 57,231 across three batches. By the end of July 2026, the province said 17,937 eligible clients had already started Lenacapavir, and it has been allocated enough supply to initiate 114,160 people between June 2026 and March 2027, with more shipments expected quarterly.

Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Faith Mazibuko said the uptake shows residents are responding positively to prevention services. The department said demand had outpaced early projections, causing temporary shortages at some facilities, and it is now strengthening stock monitoring and staff training to help keep supply steadier.

The department also reminded the public that Lenacapavir is for prevention, not treatment, and that people must test negative for HIV before starting it. It said the injection does not prevent other sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy, so condoms and other prevention services remain important. Daily oral PrEP is still available as another HIV prevention option.