PrEP and PEP Initiation and Retention Initiative

What is PrEP?

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention method that can be used to reduce the risk of getting HIV through sex or sharing needles.
PrEP is a medication for people who don't have HIV.

Is PrEP right for me?

PrEP is available for anyone who may have a higher chance of getting HIV through sex, and wants to stay HIV negative. That includes if you:

Have a sexual partner that is HIV positive, and is not on or taking their HIV medications as prescribed.
Are unaware of your sexual partner’s HIV status.
Have multiple sex partners.
Have had an Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) in the last year.

If you regularly worry about HIV ask your provider about PrEP

What else should I know about PrEP?

PrEP does not protect against other STIs or pregnancy
PrEP is always voluntary and only you can determine if PrEP is right for you
You will have to take a HIV test before starting PrEP to make sure that you do not have HIV
While you are on PrEP, you will need to see a health care provider for regular check-ups, repeat HIV/STI screenings, lab tests, and prescription refills.
There are several potential health risks to sharing needles. PrEP can help prevent transmission of HIV through shared needles, but it is still important to use clean needles to prevent other diseases.
PrEP is not a vaccine
In California, minors 12 and older can access PrEP care without parent/guardian consent

The medication builds up protection by interfering with the way HIV reproduces in the body. This makes it more difficult for the virus to take hold if you are exposed to HIV, keeping you HIV negative.

How do I take PrEP?

PrEP Medication Info

There are different types of drugs approved for PrEP and different ways to take it.

Option 1: Daily PrEP: Take one pill once a day to prevent you from becoming HIV positive. There are two different types of medications:
- Truvada (F/TDF): It's suitable for all genders and has a generic version available.
- Descovy (F/TAF): It's only approved for men or transgender women who have sex with men, as it has not been studied in people at risk for HIV from receptive vaginal sex.
Option 2: Long-Acting PrEP:
- A long acting injectable (a shot) called Apretude (CAB-PrEP) injected every other month.
- A long acting injectible (a shot) called Yeztugo (Lenacapavir) injected twice a year.
Option 3: On-Demand PrEP:
- On-Demand dosing (2-1-1) is extremely effective when used as prescribed, but it is not for everyone.* Truvada (F/TDF) is the medication most studied for this.

*On-demand dosing is not FDA-approved for HIV PrEP in the United States, the 2021 CDC PrEP Clinical Practice Guidelines recommends on-demand HIV PrEP considered in select adult men who have sex with men. Talk with your medical provider to determine if On-Demand PrEP is right for you.

How can I pay for PrEP?

PrEP is covered by Medi-Cal, Medi-Care and most private health insurance plans

I have medical coverage, how do I get PrEP?

I have Medi-Cal:

PrEP and all related medical services are 100% covered as preventative services.
Call your assigned primary care clinic to get on PrEP

I have Medicare

PrEP is covered by Medicare with very low co-pays
Financial assistance through the California State PrEP Assistance Program (PrEP-AP) is available, see PrEP-AP section below.

I have private health insurance

If you need help paying for medications, there is a financial assistance program, California State PrEP Assistance Program (PrEP-AP), as well as medication assistance programs available for copays

I don't have insurance and need help paying for PrEP, How do I get PrEP?

Visit a local lth clinic (a Federally Qualified Health Center, FQHC) that offers low or no cost health services regardless of your ability to pay and/or immigration status
- Find a FQHC near you
Planned Parenthood offers sexual and reproductive health care, regardless of insurance coverage and/or immigration status
- Get The PrEP Pill (Truvada) at a Health Center near you

I have my prescription for PrEP, how can I get help with payment?

PrEP Assistance Programs (PrEP-AP)

PrEP-AP will pay for prep medications. To find out more contact one of the PrEP-AP Enrollment workers nearest you:
- If you live outside of Santa Cruz County, find an enrollment site near you: PrEP Assistance Program (PrEP-AP) Clinical Providers and Enrollment Sites
- Please note that the PrEP-AP Enrollment worker will ask you to bring in some eligibility documents, after you’ve had your medical appointment for PrEP initiation.
- You can independently enroll in the PrEP-AP Immediate Access portal to receive a 30 – day supply of PrEP or PEP medications. Click Here to Enroll.
- There are medication payment assistance programs from pharmaceutical companies that offer payment assistance for two different types of PrEP drugs.
  - For Descovy: Gilead Advancing Access® Medication Co-pay Coupon Card
  - For the injectable, Apretude: Home | ViiVConnect
  - For the injectable, Yeztugo: Gilead Advancing Access® Co-pay Savings Program
- Watsonville Health Center PrEP-AP Enrollment Worker: (831) 763-8172 (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday)
- Emeline Health Center PrEP AP Enrollment Worker: (831) 454-4340 (Tuesday & Thursday)

Where can I get some extra help to understand all of this?

If you have any questions, contact a bilingual (Spanish/English) PrEP Navigator in Santa Cruz/Watsonville at (831) 454-4730

HIV Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

What is Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)?

PEP is used in emergency situations in which a person may have been exposed to HIV in the previous 72 hours
The medication stops HIV from making copies of itself and from spreading in the body

What are ways that I can be exposed to HIV and their level of risk?

Additional HIV Prevention Resources

Knowing your HIV status gives you powerful information to keep you and your partner(s) healthy.
- Order free HIV self-test kits delivered to your door, and test in the privacy of your home. TakeMeHome
People with HIV who take their HIV medications as prescribed, and have an undetectable viral load, cannot pass HIV to their sexual partners. HIV Undetectable Equals Untransmittable - Factsheet - October 2019
Condoms are highly effective at reducing the risk of transmitting HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancies.
- Visit these locations for free condoms located in lobby bathrooms:
Having a sexually transmitted infection increases your risk of getting HIV. Know your status and get treated.
Doxy-Pep is an option to reduce the risk of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia for certain people with risk factors. Find out more: Don’t Take Chances: Why Doxycycline is a Great Bet Against STIs | UC San Francisco
Use clean needles to prevent the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C. Find out more information about Santa Cruz County's needle exchange program.

The HIV PrEP and PEP initiative of Santa Cruz County page is dedicated to providing user friendly information and resources to access PrEP and PEP services in our community. Learn how PrEP and PEP work, who it is for, resources to pay for it and where to get it. This page is possible with support from the State Office of AIDS' PrEP and PEP Initiation and Retention (PPIR) Initiative with the goal to support and expand PrEP and PEP services among individuals at higher risk of new HIV infection.

Our purpose aligns with the broader Health Services Agency's Mission.

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