{"id":8888,"date":"2025-11-07T17:59:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T17:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/?p=8888"},"modified":"2025-11-27T13:57:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T13:57:40","slug":"a-new-jab-could-help-reduce-the-spread-of-hiv-in-england-and-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/a-new-jab-could-help-reduce-the-spread-of-hiv-in-england-and-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"A new jab could help reduce the spread of HIV in England and Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Key points:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>A new HIV medication, cabotegravir, will be offered in England and Wales through the NHS<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>The quarterly jab could replace daily pills as an HIV-prevention method<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Taking medication once every few months could help many people realise more effective treatments<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/page\/hiv\"><strong>HIV<\/strong><\/a> has wreaked havoc on countless lives all around the world. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/nat.org.uk\/about-hiv\/hiv-statistics\/\"><strong>National AIDS Trust<\/strong><\/a>, 107,949 people received HIV care in the UK in 2023, representing an increase of over 27% over the last 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But a new jab could help reduce the spread of the infection, allowing those living with the condition to lead far less stressful lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep reading to find out more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"752\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image.jpeg\" alt=\"A hand in blue glove holding a syringe\n\nAI-generated content may be incorrect.\" class=\"wp-image-8889\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image.jpeg 752w, https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-300x152.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Having HIV can seriously affect your long-term health. Find out your sexual health status with one of our Home Test Kits.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/shop\/products\/home-testing-kits\/hiv-test\">Get tested<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2>What does the jab do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A jab has been developed that could help reduce the spread of HIV in the UK even further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ViiV Healthcare, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, has developed a new drug called <strong>cabotegravir<\/strong>. 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, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/could-this-new-hiv-drug-end-aids\/\"><strong>lenacapavir<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A new jab could help reduce the spread of HIV in England and Wales\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BJAteMYqhoY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>What is HIV?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, thanks to advances in treatment, most people living with HIV in the UK today don\u2019t develop AIDS and can live long, healthy lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 \u2013 a concept known as \u201cU=U\u201d (Undetectable = Untransmittable).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As of the most recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/statistics\/hiv-annual-data-tables\/hiv-testing-prep-new-hiv-diagnoses-and-care-outcomes-for-people-accessing-hiv-services-2025-report\"><strong>data<\/strong><\/a> from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), approximately 113,500 people live with HIV in the UK, with around 5,200 of those undiagnosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, PrEP works in two ways \u2013 it stops you from getting HIV, and if you don\u2019t get infected you won\u2019t pass it on. It is the single reason why new case numbers are dropping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>How can I find out if I have HIV?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re sexually active, it always helps to get tested regularly. Even if you\u2019re using condoms when you\u2019re having sex, which are a near perfect barrier against HIV, you\u2019re not guaranteed to be protected from all STIs if you have unprotected oral sex, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another practical 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\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/shop\/products\/home-testing-kits\/full-screen\"><strong>Full STI Screen<\/strong><\/a>, which tests for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/page\/hiv\"><strong>HIV I\/II<\/strong><\/a> &amp; the p24 antigen<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/std-sti-testing\/chlamydia\"><strong>Chlamydia<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/std-sti-testing\/gonorrhoea\"><strong>Gonorrhoea<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/std-sti-testing\/syphilis\"><strong>Syphilis<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/std-sti-testing\/hepatitis-b\"><strong>Hepatitis B<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/std-sti-testing\/mycoplasma\"><strong>Mycoplasma<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/std-sti-testing\/ureaplasma\"><strong>Ureaplasma<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Better2Know fully welcomes any breakthrough that helps people treat or manage an STI, like this new PrEP treatment. But of course, other STIs are still out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click the button below to book a comprehensive, private STI screen at a sexual health clinic near you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"752\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-1.jpeg\" alt=\"A person talking on a cell phone\n\nAI-generated content may be incorrect.\" class=\"wp-image-8890\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-1.jpeg 752w, https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/image-1-300x152.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Don\u2019t leave your sexual health to chance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/clinics\/book-online\/choose-clinic\">Get tested<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<!-- Simple Share Buttons Adder (8.1.2) simplesharebuttons.com --><div class=\"ssba-classic-2 ssba ssbp-wrap left ssbp--theme-1\"><div style=\"text-align:left\"><span class=\"ssba-share-text\">Share this...<\/span><br\/><a data-site=\"\" class=\"ssba_facebook_share\" href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8888\"  target=\"_blank\" ><img src=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/simple-share-buttons-adder\/buttons\/somacro\/facebook.png\" style=\"width: 35px;\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"ssba ssba-img\" alt=\"Share on Facebook\" \/><div title=\"Facebook\" class=\"ssbp-text\">Facebook<\/div><\/a><a data-site='pinterest' class='ssba_pinterest_share' href='javascript:void((function()%7Bvar%20e=document.createElement(&apos;script&apos;);e.setAttribute(&apos;type&apos;,&apos;text\/javascript&apos;);e.setAttribute(&apos;charset&apos;,&apos;UTF-8&apos;);e.setAttribute(&apos;src&apos;,&apos;\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinmarklet.js?r=&apos;+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)%7D)());'><img src=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/simple-share-buttons-adder\/buttons\/somacro\/pinterest.png\" style=\"width: 35px;\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"ssba ssba-img\" alt=\"Pin on Pinterest\" \/><div title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"ssbp-text\">Pinterest<\/div><\/a><a data-site=\"\" class=\"ssba_twitter_share\" href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8888&amp;text=A%20new%20jab%20could%20help%20reduce%20the%20spread%20of%20HIV%20in%20England%20and%20Wales%20\"  target=&quot;_blank&quot; ><img src=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/simple-share-buttons-adder\/buttons\/somacro\/twitter.png\" style=\"width: 35px;\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"ssba ssba-img\" alt=\"Tweet about this on Twitter\" \/><div title=\"Twitter\" class=\"ssbp-text\">Twitter<\/div><\/a><a data-site=\"linkedin\" class=\"ssba_linkedin_share ssba_share_link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8888\"  target=&quot;_blank&quot; ><img src=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/simple-share-buttons-adder\/buttons\/somacro\/linkedin.png\" style=\"width: 35px;\" title=\"LinkedIn\" class=\"ssba ssba-img\" alt=\"Share on LinkedIn\" \/><div title=\"Linkedin\" class=\"ssbp-text\">Linkedin<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This article has been medically reviewed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/page\/dr-steve-chapman\"><strong>Dr. Steve Chapman<\/strong><\/a>, <strong>27\/11\/2025<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[568,678,594,3058,1135,1399,655,1435,1434,1400,563,1464,597,1604],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8888"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8888"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8888\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8905,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8888\/revisions\/8905"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8888"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=8888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}