A breakthrough in HIV prevention is on its way to patients in England and Wales, as the NHS prepares to roll out long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) injections for the first time. The move aligns both nations with Scotland, which already offers the treatment, and could help the UK meet its ambitious goal of ending new HIV cases by 2030.

The jab, administered every two months, offers a major alternative to daily PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) pills. It’s designed for people who are HIV-negative but at high risk of infection and who find it difficult to take pills regularly due to stigma, unstable housing, or personal circumstances. The convenience and privacy of an injection lasting months could make a huge difference for many.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting hailed the approval as “game-changing,” calling it a sign of how far HIV prevention has come—from fear and stigma in the 1980s to accessible, effective protection today. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved the treatment for NHS use, and clinics will begin offering it “in coming months.”

Advocates are urging a fast rollout and wider access, including delivery beyond sexual health clinics. For thousands who once faced barriers to prevention, this new injection truly represents hope.