‘Gamechanging’ HIV prevention jab to be approved for England and Wales
A “gamechanging” injection to prevent HIV is to be approved for use in England and Wales.
The long-acting jab, administered every two months, will offer an alternative to the daily pills used to protect against the virus.
This form of HIV prevention therapy, known as Prep (pre-exposure prophylaxis), is typically taken by HIV-negative people to reduce their risk of infection.
In draft guidance published on Friday, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommended cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for adults and young people at risk of HIV who are unable to take oral Prep.
The injection is already available on the NHS in Scotland.
The health secretary, Wes Streeting, said the approval of the injection was “gamechanging”.
“For vulnerable people who are unable to take other methods of HIV prevention, this represents hope,” he said.
“We’re making real progress on HIV, with Prep use up by 8% this year, and our ambition goes even further. England will be the first country to end HIV transmissions by 2030, and this breakthrough treatment is another powerful tool in our arsenal to reach that crucial goal.”
Source: The Guardian, 17 October 2025