US advises older adults to avoid the chikungunya vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration posted notices late last week, advising American travellers age 60 and above to avoid taking the chikungunya vaccine, Valneva's Ixchiq.

In 2024, the government began recommending the vaccine made from the weakened chikungunya virus to adults who were travelling to countries where chikungunya is a problem.

However, in April, a panel of vaccine experts who advise the CDC heard about an investigation into 6 people aged 65 and older, most of whom had medical problems, who became ill with heart or brain-related issues within a week of vaccination. More than 10 similar cases have been reported in people from other countries.

While the European regulators are looking into the issue, U.S. advisers have voted to practice precaution for people 65 and older in regards of getting the vaccine.


Additionally, the U.S. advisors have also recommended that the second chikungunya vaccine, Bavarian Nordic's Vimkunya, be made available for people 12 and older who are travelling to countries where chikungunya outbreaks are occurring. CDC officials have not yet announced if they have accepted the recommendations.

Chikungunya, spread by bites of infected mosquitoes, is an increasing tropical illness with symptoms such as fever and joint pain. About 100 to 200 cases are reported annually among American travellers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people infected with chikungunya will usually begin to see symptoms within 3-7 days. While common symptoms include fever and joint pain other symptoms such as headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash. Some ways to prevent the disease are using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants and treating clothing and gear with 0. 5% permethrin.