Kenya HIV jab rollout leaves hardest-hit communities behind

Kenya has begun distributing lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, but the initial rollout excludes some high-prevalence informal settlements such as Kibera, raising concerns about access and future costs.

Kenya has started distributing lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection described by scientists as the closest thing yet to an HIV vaccine. The government says the rollout aims to substantially reduce new HIV infections by 2030. The first phase is being offered free and will place 21,000 doses across 152 health facilities in 15 high-burden counties. Community leaders in Nairobi's informal settlement of Kibera say their clinics were not included among the priority sites and worry residents will face barriers to access. Key facts: - Lenacapavir is a long-acting HIV prevention injection being offered free during the initial rollout. - The first phase will distribute 21,000 doses across 152 facilities in 15 counties. - Kibera and some other high-prevalence informal settlements were not included among the priority sites; HIV prevalence in Nairobi's informal settlements is reported as around 12%. - Longer-term pricing and wider availability depend on agreements and the arrival of generic versions expected from 2027; supply is limited for now. Summary: The rollout introduces a new long-acting prevention option that some patients welcome, while exclusion of high-prevalence informal settlements highlights potential access gaps. Undetermined at this time.