This programmatic update indicates that Options B and specifically B+ are likely to prove preferable to Option A for operational, programmatic and strategic reasons. While Option A has been successfully implemented in a number of highburden countries, generally it has been difficult to implement in many low-resource settings due to the changes in drugs delivered across the care continuum (antenatal, delivery and postpartum) and the requirement for timely CD4 testing to determine which women should initiate ART for their own health. In contrast, Option B and Option B+ start all HIVinfected pregnant women on triple ARV regimens without need for an initial CD4 cell count (although CD4 testing is still needed in.
