Bringing Novel HIV Prevention to Ukraine

Changing the prevention landscape

The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has led to devastating effects in the country, putting the nation's healthcare system in danger and the lives of many at risk without the care they need. To help bridge the gap, CDC Ukraine partnered with government officials to adapt services to reach those at risk for and living with HIV and minimize interruptions in care. This work paid off in remarkable ways.

CDC Ukraine's dedication to reaching the most vulnerable with lifesaving HIV services led to the country's rollout of a new injectable HIV prevention tool, long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA). This was the first time this innovation was available for use in the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programs outside of Africa. This injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option, which offers two months of protection from HIV with every dose, gives people greater flexibility and control over their health. While efforts started small, strong partnerships quickly helped build momentum.

Partners in preventing HIV

Ukraine's Public Health Center forged successful collaborations with U.S. government agencies, including CDC. It also partnered with the World Health Organization and Ukrainian nongovernmental organizations to scale up CAB-LA as an HIV prevention option for all Ukrainians. This proved essential in reaching populations disproportionately affected by HIV in Ukraine. The introduction of CAB-LA continues to be particularly helpful for these communities by providing a discreet and less frequent prevention option compared to a daily pill (oral PrEP, the current standard). This can be crucial in regions where stigma or logistical barriers prevent people from staying on treatment.

Leading innovations

Since August 2024, when injections began in Kyiv and Lviv, almost 100 clients received CAB-LA within the first month. Andriy Klepikov, Executive Director of the Alliance for Public Health, reported the success at a press conference, saying, "Despite the challenges of war, Ukraine is a leader in the implementation of innovative technologies in HIV prevention."

Tripling oral PrEP recipients in Ukraine

The introduction of CAB-LA in Ukraine serves as one key component within a broader set of health services supported by CDC and PEPFAR to diagnose, prevent, and treat HIV. Through established healthcare systems and robust partnerships, CDC supports this initiative as part of its overarching goal to globally reduce the number of new HIV infections through innovative prevention strategies like PrEP, including both oral medications and CAB-LA.

With CDC's support, more than 26,000 people in Ukraine have started oral PrEP since 2019, which is part of the broader CDC effort that has supported over 2 million people globally in adopting this HIV prevention measure. Ihor Kuzin, Deputy Minister and Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine spoke to the success of PrEP in the country saying, "Over the past 3 years, the number of people receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis in Ukraine has tripled."

"I am not worried."

In the face of wartime adversity, Ukrainians choosing CAB-LA as an HIV prevention method is a testament to their dedication to prevent HIV and focus on a healthy and safe future. Yurii, from Lviv, speaks to this commitment saying, "Despite the fact that I am the first client in Lviv who will receive CAB-LA, I am not worried, I am more looking forward to receiving this prevention."