Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an RNA virus belonging to the Alphavirus genus within the family Togaviridae. Primarily transmitted by bites from infected Aedes mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), the disease is characterized by the sudden onset of fever, joint pain (arthralgia), and rashes, with approximately 50% of detected acute cases developing chronic joint pain that may persist for several months. CHIKV-associated mortality is rare (~1 death per 1,000 cases)
The recently licensed IXCHIQ vaccine (VLA1553, Valneva Austria GmbH), has received both the FDA & EMA approval for individuals 18 years of age and older who are at increased risk of exposure to CHIKV. The EMA approval is for 18 - 64 only. They recommend that Ixchiq must not be given to people aged 65 years and older or people who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed (have a weakened immune system) due to a disease or treatment.
The FDA and CDC are recommending (7 May 2025) a pause in the use of Ixchiq (Chikungunya Vaccine, Live) in individuals 60 years of age and older while the Agencies investigate postmarketing reports of serious adverse events, including neurologic and cardiac events, in individuals who have received the vaccine.
As of May 7, 2025, 17 serious adverse events, including two that resulted in death, have been reported in individuals 62 through 89 years of age who received Ixchiq during postmarketing use globally.
It's a live attenuated vaccine using the strain CHIKV LR2006-OPY1.
Also there's VIMKUNYA™ by Bavarian Nordic. It's a Recombinant vaccine, the first virus-like particle (VLP) single-dose chikungunya vaccine and the first chikungunya vaccine for individuals over the age of 12. It's EMA and FDA approved for over 12 year olds.
The recently licensed IXCHIQ vaccine (VLA1553, Valneva Austria GmbH), has received both the FDA & EMA approval for individuals 18 years of age and older who are at increased risk of exposure to CHIKV. The EMA approval is for 18 - 64 only. They recommend that Ixchiq must not be given to people aged 65 years and older or people who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed (have a weakened immune system) due to a disease or treatment.
The FDA and CDC are recommending (7 May 2025) a pause in the use of Ixchiq (Chikungunya Vaccine, Live) in individuals 60 years of age and older while the Agencies investigate postmarketing reports of serious adverse events, including neurologic and cardiac events, in individuals who have received the vaccine.
As of May 7, 2025, 17 serious adverse events, including two that resulted in death, have been reported in individuals 62 through 89 years of age who received Ixchiq during postmarketing use globally.
It's a live attenuated vaccine using the strain CHIKV LR2006-OPY1.
Also there's VIMKUNYA™ by Bavarian Nordic. It's a Recombinant vaccine, the first virus-like particle (VLP) single-dose chikungunya vaccine and the first chikungunya vaccine for individuals over the age of 12. It's EMA and FDA approved for over 12 year olds.
