The United States government has advised American travellers over 60 not to get the chikungunya vaccine following reports of possible side effects.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration posted notices late last week on the vaccine, Valneva’s Ixchiq. European regulators are also looking into the issue.
After adults over 60 received the vaccine, the US Food and Drug Administration reported over 10 serious adverse events worldwide.
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The vaccine’s maker, Valneva, said in a statement that it is “upholding the highest safety standards” and pointed to the potential for underlying conditions and other medications as contributing factors in the adverse events, USA Today added.
The FDA granted accelerated approval to the single-dose Ixchiq vaccine in November 2023 for adults who are at increased risk of exposure to the chikungunya virus.
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral illness that causes sudden fever, rash, and intense joint pain. The disease is primarily found in tropical regions, but each year, around 100–200 cases are identified among US travellers. While not typically fatal, chikungunya can be painful, especially for older adults or those with preexisting joint issues.
