New HIV protection jab approved for use in Northern Ireland

An injection to prevent HIV which is being offered in Great Britain will also be rolled out in Northern Ireland, it has been confirmed.

The long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) jab, which is administered every two months, is an alternative to HIV prevention pills, known as PrEP, which is used daily.

It was announced last month that the injection had been approved for England and Wales, bringing it into line with Scotland.

Campaigners had called for Northern Ireland health authorities to follow suit - with the Department of Health (DoH) now saying the treatment will be rolled-out, a prominent LGBT charity has described the move as "a game-changer".

The Rainbow Project's chief executive Scott Cuthbertson said it "could make HIV prevention much more widely accessible".

Known as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), the treatment is taken by HIV-negative people to reduce the risk of getting HIV. It was introduced in Northern Ireland in 2018.

It is taken as a pill and is effective, but they are not always easy for some to take.

It can be hard to access, unpractical or feel embarrassing if people are worried about the possibility of parents or housemates finding the medication.

Other factors such as homelessness can make it difficult to take oral PrEP every day.

However, cabotegravir is given as jab, usually six times a year or every other month, making it potentially more convenient and discreet.

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Source: BBC News, 9 November 2025