Women offered jabs in HIV prevention trial

A six-monthly injection to reduce the risk of HIV transmission is being offered to sexually active women in parts of England as part of a new clinical study.

The study will be carried out in France and the UK, with centres in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Brighton.

The trial will offer participants a new, twice-yearly injectable PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medicine called Lenacapivir.

PrEP is currently offered on the NHS as a daily tablet which, if taken correctly, significantly reduces the risk of HIV in people likely to be exposed to the virus.

Dr Steve Taylor, a principal investigator for the Purpose 5 trial and Clinical Service Lead for the Birmingham Heartlands HIV service, said: "These injectable PrEP technologies have the potential to transform HIV prevention efforts in the UK and the wider world".

He said that in Africa, the Purpose 1 Trial was 100% effective with none of the 2,134 women given Lenacapavir becoming HIV positive.

Dr Taylor added: "Its aim is to determine whether the injections provide additional benefit as an HIV prevention strategy, and would be an attractive and acceptable option for women."

Women are being invited to take part as they are far less likely to take PrEP tablets to reduce their HIV risk.

Government figures found that 75% of men who have sex with men, who were identified as having a need for PrEP by NHS sexual health services in England, had started or continued to take it in 2023.

Fewer than 4% of all PrEP prescriptions in the UK are for women.

However, women who have sex with men now account for the highest proportion of new HIV diagnoses in England.

This group accounted for 46% of all new HIV transmissions through sex in England in 2023. Men who have sex with men accounted for 28%, and men who have sex with women 26%

Eligible participants in the study receive either a daily pill or the new six-monthly injection. The trial will last a minimum of two years and will require around four clinic visits a year.

Dan Hartland, chief executive of West Midlands HIV support charity Saving Lives, said: "Injectable, long-acting PrEP is a major advance in the field of HIV prevention, particularly for women. If we are to achieve the government target to eliminate new HIV transmissions by 2030, we need a combination approach of testing, treatment and preventative tools."

Dr Taylor asked women interested in participating in the Birmingham trial to email the team before the end of April.

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