Copyright belfastlive
A ground-breaking injection to prevent HIV is set to be approved for use in Northern Ireland. The long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) injection, administered every two months, will offer an alternative to the daily pills currently used to protect against the virus. This form of HIV prevention therapy, known as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), is typically taken by HIV-negative people to reduce their risk of infection. Experts hope the injections will help meet the ambition of ending new HIV cases by 2030 in the UK. Last month it was announced that the injection had been approved for use in England and Wales, bringing it into line with Scotland. In draft guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommended the injection for adults and young people at risk of HIV who are unable to take oral PrEP. More than 111,000 people accessed PrEP in sexual health clinics in England during 2024, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), a 7% increase over the previous year. But local campaigners had called for health authorities in Northern Ireland to follow suit. Now the Department of Health has confirmed that the treatment will be rolled-out here too. Known as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), the pills have been available for years and are extremely effective at stopping HIV infections, but are not always easy for some to take. It can be hard to access, not practical, or feel embarrassing. For example, people might worry that someone like parents or housemates could find their pills. Homelessness and domestic violence can also make it difficult to take oral PrEP every day. An injection which lasts for months offers convenience and discretion. HIV is a virus that damages the cells in the immune system and weakens the body's ability to fight everyday infections and diseases. It can be caught during unprotected sex or through sharing needles. Mothers can also pass it to their baby at birth. However, cabotegravir is given as a jab, usually six times a year or every other month, making it potentially more convenient and discreet. Final guidance on administering the drug in Northern Ireland has been issued to the DoH by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The department has said it has now "begun the process of formally endorsing the NICE guidance so that eligible patients in Northern Ireland may receive this treatment". It's not known when the injections will become available but the move is part of a plan to end HIV transmission by 2030. Jacquie Richardson, CEO of HIV charity Positive Life, said it was "very welcome news" and she looks forward “to seeing this new preventative drug made available as soon as possible.” Ms Richardson added: “In Northern Ireland we know that stigma, conservative attitudes towards sex and sexuality, and outdated perceptions of HIV still affect how people approach sexual health and how they access HIV testing and treatment. “PrEP in tablet form is available across all five health trusts here, but it still has a somewhat low level of awareness in Northern Ireland. A recent Department of Health survey revealed that general awareness of HIV in Northern Ireland has fallen over the last five years (from 94% to 87%), and among those who are aware of it, only 17% were aware that PrEP is proven to protect against acquiring HIV. “Any healthcare innovation which empowers people to proactively look after their sexual health must be supported and actively promoted. This new injection will make seeking and taking the drug much more straightforward. “We would like to see a sharper focus on HIV prevention in Northern Ireland: we’re close to eliminating HIV here. We’re working hard to achieve zero new HIV diagnoses in Northern Ireland by 2030, but we can’t achieve that without a focused and adequately funded effort. “One of the single most important steps in this is HIV testing so as many people as possible know their status, can access treatment, care and support and prevent any further transmission of HIV.” For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
