Key Takeaways
- National PrEP Day takes place every October 10.
- MISTR and SISTR launched National PrEP Day in 2025 to make HIV prevention more visible, accessible, and stigma-free.
- The holiday’s first goal was to get 10,000 new people started on PrEP in 10 days.
- MISTR makes free PrEP care available online, with discreet testing and delivery options for eligible users.
Let’s get one thing out of the way: National PrEP Day is not just another awareness day asking you to repost a graphic and feel vaguely informed until the next notification arrives. It’s about making HIV prevention visible, practical, and a little harder to ignore. Maybe you’ve heard of PrEP because a friend mentioned it after brunch. Maybe you saw it on a dating app. Maybe you’ve been meaning to look into it, right after you answer that message, finish your laundry, and figure out whether the guy you’re seeing is actually going to text you back. National PrEP Day is your reminder.
Held every October 10, National PrEP Day puts PrEP, access, and sexual health education in the spotlight. It also gives people a reason to talk about HIV prevention without acting like the conversation needs to happen in a whisper. And yes, it’s a pretty good excuse to make “10/10” jokes about taking care of your sexual health.
Why Was National PrEP Day Created?
MISTR launched the first National PrEP Day in 2025 with a clear goal: get 10,000 new people started on PrEP in 10 days. The holiday was created around a simple idea. We already have effective tools to prevent HIV, but those tools only work when people know about them, can afford them, and feel comfortable using them. A medication sitting behind expensive appointments, stigma, and a maze of paperwork is not exactly doing its best work.
The first National PrEP Day also brought serious star power. The 2025 kickoff featured LGBTQ+ and allied voices including Adam Lambert, Frankie Grande, Sasha Colby, Joel Kim Booster, Tom Daley, Colton Haynes, Tamar Braxton, Cynthia Bailey, and others.
The celebration at The Abbey in West Hollywood was hosted by Bob the Drag Queen and included performances and appearances from Dua Lipa, Cardi B, Demi Lovato, Diplo, Kim Petras, Symone, Aquaria, Shea Couleé, and Plastique Tiara.
Read more about the holiday in MISTR’s original National PrEP Day announcement.
Why Does PrEP Access Matter?
Here’s the frustrating part: having an effective medication isn’t enough if getting it feels impossible. People may skip PrEP because of cost, stigma, lack of nearby providers, concerns about privacy, transportation, or not knowing where to begin. Some people worry about having an awkward conversation with a provider who may not understand their relationships, sexual practices, or health goals. And honestly, if you’ve ever had to explain your sex life to a stranger while sitting under fluorescent lighting, you already understand why privacy matters.
Healthcare should not require you to edit yourself first.
National PrEP Day helps make these conversations more normal. It gives people a reason to ask questions, share information, and find care without shame attached. When prevention becomes part of everyday conversation, more people can see themselves in it. Because “I take PrEP” should be as unremarkable as “I take allergy medication,” not a dramatic confession.
Why Choose MISTR for PrEP?
MISTR was built to make sexual healthcare easier, stigma-free, and more accessible. With MISTR, you can complete a health questionnaire online and consult with a licensed provider without starting with a trip to a clinic. Depending on your options and eligibility, required labs and STI testing can be completed through an at-home kit or at an in-person lab location.
If PrEP is appropriate for you, medication can be delivered discreetly. MISTR also provides free online PrEP care and testing for eligible users, with or without insurance depending on your situation.
No waiting-room small talk. No awkwardly announcing your sex life within earshot of someone looking for a vending machine. No pretending you’re asking “for a friend.” Just private, online care designed to fit into your actual life.
Consider This Your PrEP Talk
National PrEP Day is a reminder that prevention works best when people have information, access, and support. If you’ve been thinking about PrEP, you can get started with MISTR and complete the first steps online. A licensed provider can help determine whether PrEP is appropriate for you and explain what happens next.
HIV prevention deserves more than one day on the calendar. But October 10 is a pretty great place to start. After all, taking charge of your sexual health is a 10/10 idea.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a licensed healthcare provider for guidance regarding your individual health needs.