Can I get PrEP for less than $2 a month?

ATTENTION

The Mpox vaccine is FREE and available in Aotearoa New Zealand now - For more info click here: Mpox vaccines

In 2018, PrEP became a publicly-funded medicine in New Zealand. This means that anyone eligible for funded healthcare may be able to get a 3 month supply of PrEP for up to $5.

However, not everyone in New Zealand is eligible for funded healthcare - and not everyone who is eligible for funded healthcare will be eligible for PrEP.

Eligibility can be a little confusing, so we’ve created an easy tool to find out if you're eligible for funded PrEP. Remember, if you are not eligible there are still other ways you can access PrEP.

PrEP eligibility criteria has broadened. Get in touch with your PrEP-friendly GP, or sexual health clinic as this tool may not be 100% accurate.

Answer the questions below to find out if you might be eligible.

Please note that the results of this page are a good indication of your eligibility, but they’re not final – you’ll need to have a discussion with your prescribing doctor.

Do you ever have sex with men who have sex with men? Example: Gay or bi guys

Do you think it's likely you will have condomless anal or vaginal (front-hole) sex?

Are you and your sexual partner(s) exclusive?

Are any of those partners living with HIV?

Is that partner on treatment and do they have an undetectable viral load?

Do you have a regular partner who is living with HIV?

Is that partner on treatment and do they have an undetectable viral load?

Are planning having casual condomless sex overseas, in a country with a high prevalence of HIV?

Do you think it's likely that you might share injecting equipment (e.g. for recreational drugs or steroids) with others

Probably not right for you

From the information you’ve given, it’s not likely that you would benefit from PrEP.

Any further conversations about PrEP would need be with a clinician, if you still think it's for you.

U=U: PrEP is probably not right for you

An undetectable viral load is when the amount of HIV in a person’s blood (their viral load) is no longer able to be detected by a standard viral load test for HIV.

People living with HIV who are on antiretroviral treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load for at least six months do not sexually transmit HIV. This is known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)

Because of U=U, PrEP is not recommended for you when your partner living with HIV is on treatment and has an undetectable viral load.

Very likely

PrEP is really beneficial for people having casual or non-exclusive, condomless sex with men who have sex with men.

It's very likely PrEP would be a good option for you! Please contact your GP or local Sexual Health Centre to discuss this further, or use our map to find a provider who has indicated they’re well-informed about PrEP. Or see if you are eligible for subsidised virtual PrEP appointments.

May be right for you

PrEP may be right for you!

Please contact your GP or local Sexual Health Centre to discuss this further, or use our map to find a provider who has indicated they’re well-informed about PrEP. Or see if you are eligible for subsidised virtual PrEP appointments.

Modern HIV treatment is incredible, and the earlier someone can access it, the better for their health. It could be worth speaking to your partner about whether they would access treatment. Not only is it the best thing for the health of someone living with HIV, but if an undetectable viral load can be reached, HIV cannot be passed on through sex - this is known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U).

May be right for you

PrEP may be right for you!

Condoms are a great tool to have on hand regardless of whether you get on PrEP. They help prevent other STIs and are very useful for travelling.

May be right for you

PrEP may be right for you, but it's important that you know that the effectiveness of PrEP in preventing transmission through sharing injecting equipment is not as high as for sexual transmission!

The best way to prevent transmission when injecting steroids or drugs is to use sterile equipment and not share. Did you know that Aotearoa was the first country to publicly fund nationwide access to sterile injecting equipment and safe disposal? Check out the NZ Needle Exchange Programme for more info.