Khaberni - The "Daily Mail" British newspaper reported that a revolutionary vaccine that prevents infection with the human immunodeficiency virus "AIDS" (HIV) will be introduced in the British National Health Service, providing new hope in eradicating the virus within five years.
According to the newspaper, the innovative injection — which is given once every two months — protects individuals from infection with the human immunodeficiency virus with an efficacy rate of nearly 100%.
This treatment will be available at sexual health clinics throughout England and Wales in the coming months, after receiving approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), marking a significant step towards achieving the British National Health Service's goal of becoming the first health service in the world to eliminate the transmission of the HIV "AIDS" virus by 2030.
The newspaper explained that the vaccine, called cabotegravir or CAB-LA, works by inhibiting an enzyme the virus needs to copy itself inside the body, preventing it from replicating and taking over if someone is exposed to it. Unlike daily preventive pills known as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), the new treatment requires one injection every two months administered by a healthcare specialist.
This treatment will be offered to about a thousand people annually who are unable to take oral preventive treatment, for medical reasons or difficulties in swallowing pills or due to unstable living conditions.
Helen Knight, director of drug evaluation at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said: "HIV still poses a serious public health challenge, but we now have powerful tools to prevent new infections."
The newspaper added that the introduction of this revolutionary vaccine in the National Health Service gives new hope in eradicating the virus within five years.
It noted that about a thousand people in England are unable to take daily PrEP pills due to medical reasons or other barriers, making this injection an effective option for this group.
Dr. Michael Brady, the national advisor to the NHS in England, stated: "This long-acting injection is an important addition to our strategies for preventing HIV (AIDS), providing a new and powerful option for at-risk individuals who cannot use oral preventive tablets."
Health Minister Wes Streeting praised the approval of the vaccine, describing it as a "game-changer," adding: "For those at risk who are unable to use other preventive means, this vaccine represents a true beacon of hope."
The minister pointed out that England is making real progress in combating the HIV virus, noting that the use of pre-exposure preventive treatment has increased by 8% this year. He added: "England will be the first country to succeed in eliminating HIV transmission by 2030, and this pioneering treatment is another powerful tool in our efforts to achieve this crucial goal."
More than 111,000 people benefited from pre-exposure prevention services at sexual health clinics in England during the year 2024, an increase of 7% over the previous year, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
The newspaper clarified that HIV attacks the immune system, and if left untreated, it can cause life-threatening illnesses, yet modern drugs can effectively suppress the virus so it becomes "undetectable," meaning it cannot be transmitted to others.
The launch of the program coincides with a significant expansion in HIV testing in emergency departments, with 89 hospitals now testing all patients undergoing blood tests in high-prevalence areas, a project expected to detect about 1900 new or previously undiagnosed cases annually.
This initiative is an important step towards the NHS's goal of becoming the first health service in the world to succeed in eliminating virus transmission by 2030.
Charitable organizations praised the new vaccine as a vital step in addressing health disparities. Richard Angel, CEO of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "Pre-exposure prevention injections will radically transform our response to HIV, being highly effective and a necessary tool for addressing health disparities and reaching those who currently do not receive prevention."
Cabotegravir medication is produced by ViiV Healthcare at its site in Barnard Castle, County Durham.
Julie Guest, the company's UK general manager, stated: "As the first and only long-acting option for virus prevention in the UK, cabotegravir offers an effective alternative that helps keep people protected."
