An injection identified as cabotegravir (CAB-LA), made by ViiV Healthcare to prevent Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV), has been approved in England and Wales.
According to reports, the long-acting shot, which is to be given six times a year or every other month, is an alternative to taking daily pills to protect against the virus. This to some medical experts, will help meet the ambition of ending new HIV cases by 2030 in the United Kingdom.
In the words of Wes Streeting, the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care: "The approval of this game-changing injection perfectly embodies what this government is determined to deliver - cutting-edge treatments that save lives and leave no one behind. For vulnerable people who are unable to take other methods of HIV prevention, this represents hope."
Reports also gathered that, a HIV prevention therapy known as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), is being taken by HIV-negative people to reduce the risk of getting HIV, and that pills still extremely effective at stopping HIV infections have been available for years, but are not always easy for some to take with belief that people might worry or make them feel embarrassed on seeing the pills.
Meanwhile, the cabotegravir jab which is said to have a list price of around £7,000 per patient per year with an undisclosed discount from the manufacturer, will be considered for adults and adolescents with a healthy weight who are at high risk of sexually acquired HIV and eligible for PrEP, but for whom taking oral tablets would be difficult. It’s thought around 1,000 people will be offered it. Many others will remain on or start tablets.
Medical experts however advised that the cabotegravir injection should be used in combination with safer sex practices, such as use of condoms.
No report yet on the injection being in Nigeria, if any do come up, this article will be updated.
HIV damages the cells in the human immune system and weakens the body's ability to fight infections and diseases. It can be contracted during unprotected sex or through sharing needles or unsterilized clippers and mothers can also pass it to their baby at birth. So don't risk your health! And don't segregate victims of the virus.
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