NACA Issues Warning: New HIV Injection Lenacapavir Unsafe for Pregnant Women

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has cautioned that the newly introduced twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir, is not recommended for pregnant women due to insufficient safety data.

Director-General of NACA, Temitope Ilori, gave the advisory on Monday during a media briefing in Abuja, organised by the National HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Programme under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

“Even though LenPrEP is considered very safe based on global studies, it is not recommended for pregnant women,” Ilori said, stressing that the drug is strictly for prevention known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and not for treating existing HIV infections.

The drug, Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences, is administered via injection twice a year and is seen as a major breakthrough in HIV prevention, especially for individuals who struggle with daily oral PrEP adherence. Clinical trials have shown near-total protection against HIV among high-risk groups.

Nigeria recently received 11,520 doses through support from the Global Fund, marking the beginning of a phased nationwide rollout. Preparations, including regulatory clearance by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), healthcare worker training, and community sensitisation, are already underway.

National Coordinator of the programme, Adebobola Bashorun, said efforts are ongoing to expand access, particularly among vulnerable populations.

“As we scale up, we are exploring catalytic funding to increase doses and reach those most at risk,” he said, adding that Lenacapavir will complement existing prevention tools rather than replace them.

Bashorun noted that reported side effects have been mild, mainly injection-site reactions such as pain or swelling, while authorities continue close monitoring for any adverse outcomes.

Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, attributed the availability of the drug to partnerships with global donors and expressed optimism about future local production through technology transfer.

Despite its promise, officials warned that Lenacapavir does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, including hepatitis, syphilis, or gonorrhoea. Users are therefore advised to maintain safer-sex practices, including condom use.

Nigeria continues to bear a significant HIV burden, with about 1.9 million people living with the virus and an adult prevalence rate of roughly 1.3%. While treatment coverage has improved, prevention gaps remain, particularly among young people and key populations.

Health authorities describe Lenacapavir as a potential “game-changer” in reducing new infections but stress that its success will depend on equitable access, sustained funding, and effective integration into the country’s broader HIV response strategy.