South Africa rolls out game-changing HIV shot amid funding shortfalls

South Africa now uses a new medicine to stop HIV. It is an injection, a **shot**, you get every six months. This new medicine is called Lenacapavir. It is very good at stopping people from getting HIV, especially those at high risk. South Africa has many people with HIV, so this new medicine is very important. The president says it is a big change for the country.

Many young women and girls get HIV in South Africa. They get about 1,000 new infections every week. Before, people used a daily pill to prevent HIV, but it was not always **easy** to remember. This new shot is much simpler because people only need it twice a year. It starts in 360 health centers where many people have HIV.

However, there are problems. The money from the U.S. that used to **help** fight HIV is less now. The new medicine is also very expensive. So, not everyone who needs it can get it yet. But soon, in 2027, cheaper versions of the medicine will be available. Then, more people can get the shot and hopefully, HIV will become much less common in South Africa.