Don't get it wrong; Lenacapavir is not a vaccine
Health Opinion
By
Angella Langat
| Mar 24, 2026
Kenya recently entered a promising new phase in HIV prevention with the introduction of Lenacapavir, a long-acting medicine designed to reduce the risk of HIV infection. The development generated excitement in the public space, as it should. New tools are critical in the ongoing fight against HIV.
But amid the enthusiasm, one point needs to be clarified: Lenacapavir is not a vaccine. It is a preventive medicine given to people who do not have HIV to help reduce their risk of infection. This approach is known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. Unlike daily oral PrEP tablets that must be taken regularly, Lenacapavir is administered as an injection every six months.
A vaccine works differently. Vaccines train the body’s immune system to recognise and fight a disease, often providing long-lasting protection and sometimes lifelong immunity.
Lenacapavir does not work that way. Its protection lasts only as long as a person continues receiving the injection every six months. If someone stops receiving the injections, the protection also stops. This distinction may seem technical, but it is important for public understanding.
Kenya recorded 19,991 new HIV infections in 2024, representing a 19 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Many of these infections occur among adolescent girls and young women, while 10 counties account for more than half of the country’s new infections.
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These numbers remind us that HIV prevention remains an urgent priority. Innovations such as Lenacapavir therefore offer hope. Long-acting prevention options can make it easier for people to protect themselves, particularly for those who struggle with daily pills or who face stigma when seeking HIV prevention services.
The World Health Organisation has emphasised that expanding access to effective HIV prevention tools, including pre-exposure prophylaxis, is essential to reducing new infections and achieving global HIV control targets.
But innovation must be accompanied by clear and accurate information.
If people believe Lenacapavir is a vaccine, misunderstandings may follow. Some individuals may assume that a single injection provides lifelong protection. Others may misunderstand how often it must be taken, or how it should be used alongside other prevention tools.
Public debate may also shift in the wrong direction — raising unnecessary questions about whether such a product should be mandatory, or who should receive it.
Lenacapavir is not mandatory, and it is not designed for one gender or one group. It is a prevention option for anyone who is HIV-negative and at risk of infection, and its use should always be discussed with a qualified health provider.
Kenya has made significant progress in HIV treatment over the past two decades. Today, millions of people living with HIV are receiving antiretroviral therapy and living longer, healthier lives. But treatment alone cannot end the epidemic. Prevention remains the most effective way to reduce new infections.
Once someone becomes infected with HIV, treatment becomes lifelong. Preventing infection in the first place protects families, reduces the burden on health systems and safeguards future generations. For prevention programmes to succeed, the public must trust the information they receive. That trust begins with clear, consistent and accurate communication.
Ms Langat is director at the National Syndemic Diseases Council