The National Health Service (NHS) is set to roll out a new long-acting HIV prevention injection, bringing England and Wales in line with Scotland’s existing policy.

The injection, called cabotegravir (CAB-LA), will be administered every two months as an alternative to daily PrEP pills currently used by HIV-negative individuals to prevent infection. The initiative supports the UK’s ambition to eliminate new HIV cases by 2030.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting hailed the move as a major public health breakthrough, saying it reflects the government’s commitment to delivering “cutting-edge treatments that save lives and leave no one behind.” He added that the injection provides hope for vulnerable people who struggle to take daily medication.

Unlike daily pills, the cabotegravir jab offers a discreet and convenient option that can be especially helpful for individuals facing challenges such as homelessness, domestic abuse, or privacy concerns.

Developed by ViiV Healthcare, the treatment works best alongside other preventive measures like condom use. The NHS negotiated a discounted price for the drug, which is listed at around £7,000 per person annually.

Initially, about 1,000 high-risk adults and adolescents who find it difficult to adhere to daily tablets will receive the injection through sexual health clinics. Others will continue with oral PrEP.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved the drug, confirming that clinics will start offering it “in the coming months.”

Advocacy groups, including the Terrence Higgins Trust, have welcomed the development but urged a rapid and inclusive rollout. Executive Director Richard Angell noted that the new treatment could reduce inequalities by reaching those not currently accessing other HIV prevention methods.

PrEP user Dom Baldwin also praised the progress, saying: “It’s amazing to see how far HIV prevention has come. Compared to the 1980s, HIV is no longer a death sentence.”

According to NHS England, PrEP usage rose by 7.7% in 2024, with over 111,000 people on treatment. However, disparities remain, as uptake is significantly lower among black African heterosexual men and women than among gay and bisexual men.

The NHS is also extending routine HIV testing to hospital emergency departments, now active in 89 sites across regions with high infection rates.

Meanwhile, early research into another injectable drug, lenacapavir, suggests that once-a-year HIV prevention shots could soon become a reality — a promising step toward ending new HIV infections within the decade.