A major step forward in HIV prevention – but the journey continues.

For the first time, an HIV prevention injection will be offered on the NHS in London, marking an important milestone in the UK’s ambition to end new HIV cases by 2030.

The new cabotegravir (CAB-LA) injection – administered every two months – offers an alternative to daily PrEP pills for a select group of people who are unable to take oral PrEP and have increased odds of acquiring HIV. This long-acting option represents an important addition to the tools available for HIV prevention.

Darren Cousins, Clinical Lead at the London Sexual Health Programme, said: “Long-acting PrEP injectables such as cabotegravir mean that people who struggle with tablet PrEP can still access HIV prevention in a way that suits them. The HPTN 084 trial demonstrated compelling evidence that cabotegravir was particularly effective and well tolerated in women, who are currently under-represented in UK PrEP cohorts. This announcement by NICE helps us build safe, effective and equitable services for all the population who need this intervention.”

At the London Sexual Health Programme, we welcome this progress. It reflects years of commitment across the NHS, local authorities, charities, and communities to make HIV prevention more inclusive and accessible.

But while this is a significant development, it’s not the final step. Access to PrEP – in all its forms – must continue to improve, particularly for communities currently underrepresented in uptake, including Black African heterosexual men and women.

Together, we’ll keep working to ensure no one is left behind in the collective effort to end HIV transmission in London and beyond.