The UK government have recently launched a new action plan for HIV which includes those related to pregnancy and beyond. In this article HIV charities respond to the new plans.
Charities welcome the news that the Government’s new HIV Action Plan [launched on 1 December] includes funding formula milk and sterilising equipment for the infants of all women living with HIV, reducing the risk of vertical transmission.
Vertical transmission of HIV refers to any infant acquiring HIV from their gestational parent; this can be during pregnancy or postpartum through breastfeeding.
A number of charities including Chiva, National AIDS Trust and The Food Chain formed a working group in 2024 to provide reports and written evidence to government and NHS officials raising concerns about how formula milk for infants of parents living with HIV is provided.
To date, free formula milk for infants of parents living with HIV has only been made available in a handful of regions around the UK, either through the NHS Trust or local authority, and often with the support of an HIV organisation to support the logistics. With access varying between clinics and regions, large numbers of infants of birthing parents living with HIV around the UK are falling through the gaps.
For years, Chiva and The Food Chain have been covering the costs of formula milk for families who cannot afford it, in order to protect infants from any risks of acquiring HIV.
In women/birthing parents on effective HIV treatment, the risk of vertical transmission through breastfeeding is low, but not zero. The British HIV Association (BHIVA) publish guidelines for use in clinical care. In 2025, their guidelines for pregnancy and postpartum care continue to recommend that women/birthing parents feed their babies with formula milk exclusively to ensure that the risk of HIV transmission to their infants postpartum is zero.
BHIVA advise that women/birthing parents living with HIV on effective treatment who choose to breastfeed should be supported by their clinical team to do this in the safest way possible for a maximum of 6 months. After this, infant formula is required alongside weaning until the child is age one.
Cost and affordability of infant formula should not be part of the decision making for parents on how to feed their infants where prevention of acquiring a lifelong health condition is a key concern.
The working group are hugely appreciative that funded formula milk provision is a core part of the government’s HIV Action Plan. Families living with HIV will now have access to the full range of interventions which have been shown to reduce the risk of onward HIV transmission to infants, helping to ensure success in reaching the Government’s goal of zero new HIV transmissions by 2030.
Dr Amanda Williams, Paediatrician and Chair of Chiva said, “We welcome the Government’s decision to fund formula milk for all babies born to women living with HIV, who need it as part of HIV prevention measures during pregnancy through to post-birth – something that we’ve been working with our partners to call for. Funding formula milk ensures women can follow medical guidance and are empowered to make informed choices about how to safely feed their babies without financial barriers.”
Anna Brewster, Chief Executive, The Food Chain said, “We are overjoyed that the 2025 HIV Action Plan is clear in its commitment to funded provision of formula milk for parents living with HIV. The Food Chain has been providing infant formula to families for more than a decade, and we hear first-hand from parents how transformative this can be – not just in terms of alleviating financial hardship, but also in enabling parents to make the choices they feel best for their children. With a renewed commitment to reaching the 2030 goal of zero new transmissions, it is heartening to know that mothers and birthing parents will not be left behind.”
Robbie Currie, Chief Executive, National AIDS Trust, said: “National AIDS Trust welcomes the commitments in the HIV Action plan which provides a solid foundation for achieving the goal of ending HIV cases by 2030. We are delighted to see funding for formula milk – a priority we have campaigned on alongside our partners.”
Alex Sparrowhawk, Director of Delivery and Impact, George House Trust said, “We are thrilled by the Government’s commitment to fund formula milk in the new HIV Action Plan. It’s a vital step in protecting the health of babies born to mothers living with HIV and reflects years of advocacy from healthcare professionals and community partners. Every day, George House Trust sees the impact monetary pressures have on families affected by HIV. Removing the financial burden of infant formula is a positive step to supporting mums and babies to thrive.”
The working group are keen to know how the Government will ensure UK-wide provision of formula milk and are keen to continue to work with the Department for Health and Social Care to help get this in place as quickly as possible.
The working group would like to thank all of the individual professionals and organisations who supported this campaign including:
- British HIV Association (BHIVA)
- Terrence Higgins Trust
- Waverley Care
References
ISOSS HIV report 2024. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/idps-isoss-hiv-outcome-report-2023/isoss-hiv-report-2023
Nourish-UK Study 2021-2022 https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/research/health-experiences/Nourish_UK
BHIVA Guidelines for the Management of HIV in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period 2025.
Available at: https://bhiva.org/clinical-guideline/pregnancy-guidelines/
January 2026