WellFlorida’s High Impact Prevention (HIP) provides education on and referrals to PrEP and PEP. We counsel individuals on risk factors for HIV and assess eligibility for these prevention medications. Read on to learn more about PrEP and PEP, and find local providers. Contact us if you think PrEP or PEP is right for you.
WHAT IS PrEP?
PrEP is an HIV preventive medication that when taken as prescribed can significantly reduce the risk of HIV infection. PrEP can either be taken as a daily pill or as a shot once every two months and can only be used by people who are HIV-negative. The brand names of PrEP are Truvada and Descovy. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken daily. Among people who inject drugs, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV by at least 74% when taken daily.
SHOULD I CONSIDER PrEP?
PrEP is for people without HIV who are at risk of getting the virus from sex or injection drug use. The federal guidelines recommend that PrEP be considered for people who are HIV-negative who:
Have had anal or vaginal sex in the past 6 months and:
- Have a sexual partner with HIV (especially if the partner has an unknown or detectable viral load) or
- Have not consistently used a condom or
- Have been diagnosed with an STD in the past 6 months
PrEP is also recommended for people who inject drugs and
- have an injection partner with HIV or
- share needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs (for example, cookers).
PrEP should also be considered for people who have been prescribed non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and report continued risk behavior, or have used multiple courses of PEP.
If you have a partner with HIV and are considering getting pregnant, talk to your doctor about PrEP if you’re not already taking it. PrEP may be an option to help protect you and your baby from getting HIV while you try to get pregnant, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding.
Because PrEP may involve daily medication and regular visits to a health care provider, it may not be right for everyone. PrEP may also cause side effects like nausea in some people, but these generally subside over time and are not life-threatening.
WHAT ABOUT THE COST OF PrEP?
Most insurance plans and state Medicaid programs cover PrEP. Prior authorization may be required.
Free medication program: There are medication assistance programs that provide free PrEP medications to people with no insurance to cover PrEP care. To learn more, call 855-447-8410 or visit www.getyourprep.com.
Co-pay assistance program: Income is not a factor in eligibility. More information is available at: https://www.gileadadvancingaccess.com.
Some states have their own PrEP assistance programs. Some cover medication, some cover clinical visits and lab costs, and some cover both. To learn more visit: https://www.nastad.org/prepcost-resources/prep-assistance-programs.
WHAT IS PEP?
PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. PEP is a group of antiretroviral medicines (ART) that should be taken after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent infection.
PEP must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV, but the sooner you start PEP, the better. Every hour counts. If you’re prescribed PEP, you’ll need to take it once or twice daily for 28 days. PEP is effective in preventing HIV when administered correctly and can reduce your risk by 81%.
WHEN TO CONSIDER PEP
If you’re HIV-negative or don’t know your HIV status, and in the last 72 hours you:
- think you may have been exposed to HIV during sex (for example, if the condom broke),
- shared needles and works to prepare drugs (for example, cotton, cookers, water), or
- were sexually assaulted
PEP should be used only in emergency situations and must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV. It is not a substitute for regular use of other proven HIV prevention methods, such as daily use of PrEP, correct condom usage, and using new, sterile needles if you inject drugs.
You should continue to use condoms with sex partners and safe injection practices while taking PEP. These strategies can protect you from being exposed to HIV again and reduce the chances of transmitting HIV to others if you do become infected while you’re on PEP.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html
OUR PrEP & PEP NAVIGATION TEAM
HIV Prevention Program Coordinator
sconover@wellflorida.org
P: 352-415-0459 x8015
HIV Prevention Associate
jcochran@wellflorida.org
P: 352-313-6500 ext. 8005
WHERE CAN I GET PrEP OR PEP?
Call WellFlorida’s High Impact Prevention (HIP) to find out if you are eligible for PrEP and PEP at 352-415-0464. We will point you in the right direction and answer any questions.
To find a PrEP provider near you, you may follow the PrEP locator link or find local information below.
AREA 3/13 PrEP LOCATIONS:
| Site | Address | Contact |
| Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Alachua County | 224 S.E. 24th St., Gainesville, FL 32641 | (352)334-7969 |
| Florida DOH in Bradford County | 1801 N. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091 | (904)964-7732 |
| Florida DOH in Citrus County | 3700 W. Sovereign Path, Lecanto, FL 34461 | (352)527-0068 |
| Florida DOH in Columbia County | 217 N.E. Franklin St., Lake City, FL 32055 | (386)758-1068 |
| Florida DOH in Dixie County | 149 N.E. 241st St., Cross City, FL 32628 | (352)498-1360 |
| Florida DOH in Gilchrist County | 119 N.E. First St. Trenton, FL 32693 | (352)463-3120 |
| Florida DOH in Hamilton County | 209 S.E. Central Av., Jasper, FL 32052 | (386)792-1414 |
| Florida DOH in Lafayette County | 140 S.W. Virginia Circle, Mayo, FL 32066 | (386)294-1321 |
| Florida DOH in Lake County (Umatilla) | 249 E. Collins St., Umatilla, FL 32784 | (352)771-5500 |
| Florida DOH in Lake County (Clermont) | 875 Oakley Seaver Drive, Clermont, FL 34711 | (352)771-5500 |
| Florida DOH in Lake County (Leesburg) | 2113 W. Griffin Road, Leesburg, FL 34748 | (352)771-5500 |
| Florida DOH in Levy County | 66 W. Main St., Bronson, FL 32621 | (352)486-5300 |
| Florida DOH in Marion County | 1801 S.E. 32nd Ave., Ocala, FL 34471 | (352)629-0137 |
| Florida DOH in Putnam County | 2801 Kennedy St., Palatka, FL 32177 | (386)326-3200 |
| Florida DOH in Sumter County | 415 E. Noble Ave,. Bushnell, FL 33513 | (352)569-3102 |
| Florida DOH in Sumter County | 104 Rutland St, Wildwood, FL 34785 | (352)689-6520 |
| Florida DOH in Suwannee County | 915 Nobles Ferry Road, Live Oak, FL 32064 | (386)362-2708 |
| Florida DOH in Union County | 495 E. Main St., Lake Butler, FL 32054 | (386)496-3211 |
| UF Health | Multiple Locations | (352)294-5480 |
AREA 3/13 PEP LOCATIONS:
All county health departments can prescribe PEP, however, only certain locations have the medication onsite.
| Site | Address | Contact |
| Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Alachua County | 224 S.E. 24th St., Gainesville, FL 32641 | (352)334-7969 |
| Florida DOH in Columbia County | 217 N.E. Franklin St., Lake City, FL 32055 | (386)758-1068 |
| Florida DOH in Hamilton County | 209 S.E. Central Ave., Jasper, FL 32052 | (386)792-1414 |
| Florida DOH in Marion County | 1801 S.E. 32nd Ave., Ocala, FL 34471 | (352)629-0137 |
| UF Health Shands Emergency Room | 1515 S.W. Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608 | (352)733-0111 |
| UF Health Shands Emergency Center Springhill | 8475 N.W. 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32606 | (352)627-0400 |