Kenya stands on the precipice of a medical revolution. Next month, the country will roll out Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking injectable drug that prevents HIV infection for six months with a single shot. But amidst the celebration, a dangerous whisper is spreading through our communities—a myth that this "miracle shot" is a license for reckless behavior.

The introduction of this long-acting Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is arguably the most significant advancement in HIV prevention since the Condom. For the thousands of Kenyans who struggle with the stigma and logistics of swallowing a daily pill, Lenacapavir offers dignity and discretion. However, public health experts are sounding a frantic alarm: the drug protects against HIV, and only HIV. It is not a suit of armor.

Dispelling the Myths

The editor of The Star rightly points out that misinformation travels faster than science. In Nairobi’s informal settlements and high-risk zones, word on the street is that the "new injection" is a vaccine. It is not.

• No Sterilizing Immunity: The drug does not teach your body to kill the virus like a vaccine does; it merely blocks the virus from replicating for a specific window of time. If you miss your six-month top-up, you are naked to the virus.
• The STI Trap: Lenacapavir offers zero protection against Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or Herpes. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-11)It also does not prevent pregnancy. Relying on the shot alone is like wearing a bulletproof vest but walking into a fire—you might survive the bullet, but you will still get burned.

The Behavioral Risk

This phenomenon is known as "risk compensation"—the idea that people take greater risks when they feel safer. We saw it with seatbelts, and we saw it with oral PrEP. The Ministry of Health must launch an aggressive education campaign. If young Kenyans interpret this rollout as the start of a "condom-free era," we could see a catastrophic spike in other sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancies, swapping one public health crisis for another.

A Tool, Not a Cure

We must embrace Lenacapavir for what it is: a powerful tool in a diverse toolkit. It is perfect for the discordantly coupled, for sex workers who face violence, and for young women who need discreet protection. But it must be paired with the old faithfuls: condoms, regular testing, and honest conversations. As we welcome this scientific marvel to our hospitals, let us not check our common sense at the door.