A new jab could help reduce the spread of HIV in England and Wales

Key points:

A new HIV medication, cabotegravir, will be offered in England and Wales through the NHS
The quarterly jab could replace daily pills as an HIV-prevention method
Taking medication once every few months could help many people realise more effective treatments

HIV has wreaked havoc on countless lives all around the world. According to the National AIDS Trust, 107,949 people received HIV care in the UK in 2023, representing an increase of over 27% over the last 10 years.

But a new jab could help reduce the spread of the infection, allowing those living with the condition to lead far less stressful lives.

Keep reading to find out more.

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What does the jab do?

A jab has been developed that could help reduce the spread of HIV in the UK even further.

Despite the effectiveness of PrEP, taking a daily pill can be difficult for some people. Individuals who are homeless or who experience domestic abuse or violence may find it challenging to take a daily pill. PrEP medication can also be difficult to access and can result in shame for some people. The judgment of friends and family can be a serious barrier to taking this medication regularly and effectively. Daily doses can also be forgotten or missed.

ViiV Healthcare, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, has developed a new drug called cabotegravir. This drug is meant to be injected once every few months. It will be offered on the NHS and was recently approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The development of this drug comes hot on the heels of another HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir.

The cabotegravir jab will be considered for adults and adolescents who are at high risk of getting HIV from sexual activity, but for whom taking daily PrEP pills would be problematic.

Having a jab once every few months can help many people maintain their treatment over the longer term without having to worry about missing a dose.

What is HIV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is an STI that attacks your immune system, specifically white blood cells called CD4 cells. These cells help your body fight off infections.

HIV is transmitted through certain bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. It is most commonly passed on through unprotected sex, but sharing needles and breastfeeding are also well-known paths of transmission.

The longer you have HIV, the more your body loses the ability to fight off outside infections. If left untreated over long periods of time, it can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), a condition where the immune system becomes severely compromised.

However, thanks to advances in treatment, most people living with HIV in the UK today don’t develop AIDS and can live long, healthy lives.

Modern HIV treatment involves antiretroviral therapy (ART), which reduces the viral load in the body to undetectable levels. This not only protects the health of the person living with HIV but also prevents transmission to others. In fact, someone with an undetectable viral load cannot pass on HIV through sex – a concept known as “U=U” (Undetectable = Untransmittable).

As of the most recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), approximately 113,500 people live with HIV in the UK, with around 5,200 of those undiagnosed.

In 2024, new HIV diagnoses fell by 4%, from 3,169 in 2023 to 3,043 in 2024. Encouragingly, the UK continues to meet the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets: 95% of people living with HIV are diagnosed, 99% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 98% of those on treatment have a suppressed viral load.

Despite this progress, challenges remain. Late diagnoses are still common, particularly among Black African heterosexual men and women, who also experience lower uptake of preventative measures like PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis).

In 2024, PrEP usage rose by nearly 8%, with over 111,000 people accessing it. The UK government remains committed to ending new HIV transmissions by 2030, but reaching this goal will require continued investment, education, and equitable access to testing and treatment services.

How can I find out if I have HIV?

If you’re sexually active, it always helps to get tested regularly. Even if you’re using condoms when you’re having sex, you’re not guaranteed to be protected from all STIs.

The best way to protect your sexual health is through a comprehensive testing program that tests for a variety of infections. You can do this with Better2Know’s Full STI Screen, which tests for:

Final thoughts

Better2Know fully welcomes any breakthrough that helps people treat or manage an STI. But for anyone to treat an infection, they have to know if they have it first,

Click the button below to book a comprehensive, private STI screen at a sexual health clinic near you.