Planned Parenthood now offers HIV prevention shot at Bankers Hill location

Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest has started offering an HIV prevention injection as part of its services, it was announced Monday.

Apretude is a long-acting injectable medication used for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Planned Parenthood will offer the medication at the First Avenue Family Planning Michelle Wagner Center located in downtown San Diego, officials said.

According to the CDC, patients who take PrEP as prescribed reduce their risk of getting HIV through sexual intercourse by about 99%. Apretude is given on-site once every two months, after two initiation doses one month apart.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer injectable PrEP as an option to our patients,” said Dr. Antoinette Marengo, chief medical transformation officer of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. “Being able to give patients a choice in their HIV prevention care puts them in the driver’s seat of their health, which leads to better health outcomes.

“For our San Diego and our LGBTQ+ communities, this is more than just an expanded offering — it is a step towards greater health equity, reduced stigma, and a healthier future.”

Planned Parenthood will still offer oral PrEP, a daily pill also used for HIV prevention, at all of its health centers. According to the organization, Apretude is eligible for insurance coverage by many plans, including Medi-Cal and several commercial/private plans. Patient assistance programs are also available for patients without insurance.

Apretude will be made available at other Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest health centers later this year or in early 2026, a statement from the organization reads.

“At a time when reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights are under attack like never before — Planned Parenthood remains steadfast in our commitment to providing comprehensive, affirming, and accessible sexual health services to all,” Marengo said. “This new offering reinforces that promise.”