The USA is advising travellers aged 60 and as much as maintain off on getting the chikungunya vaccine whereas it appears to be like into studies of potential negative effects, together with coronary heart issues, neurological points and even demise.
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) and the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a discover on Could 9 concerning the problems from the vaccine, which is bought below the identify Ixchiq from producer Valneva.
“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,” the discover warned.
Well being Canada, for its half, stated it’s monitoring the security of Ixchiq and can take “appropriate action” if new info emerges that might change the vaccine’s benefit-risk profile.
The company has not issued any warning towards its use in older adults.
Chikungunya is a virus unfold to individuals by way of mosquito bites. It’s largely present in elements of the Americas, Asia, and Africa, with the occasional outbreak in Europe.
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The sickness causes signs much like dengue and Zika — most notably a excessive fever and extreme joint ache that may be long-lasting. Different signs embody swelling, muscle aches, headache, nausea, fatigue and a rash.
About 100 to 200 instances are reported yearly amongst U.S. travellers.
The most recent knowledge from the Public Well being Company of Canada exhibits that as of Dec. 9, 2014, 320 confirmed and 159 possible instances of chikungunya have been recognized in Canada amongst travellers coming back from affected areas in each the Americas and the Asia-Pacific area.
The vaccine is accessible in each Canada and the U.S. for travellers heading to international locations the place the danger of catching chikungunya is larger. The shot accommodates a stay, weakened model of the chikungunya virus and should trigger signs much like these of chikungunya illness.
However final month, a panel of vaccine specialists who advise the CDC heard about an investigation into six individuals 65 and older — most of them with different medical issues — who grew to become in poor health with coronary heart or mind signs lower than per week after vaccination.
One individual died from encephalitis. Greater than 10 different related instances have been reported in individuals from different international locations.
The U.S. advisers then voted to concern a precaution for individuals 65 and older about getting the vaccine.
European regulators are additionally trying into the difficulty and proscribing its use.
“Given that studies on Ixchiq mainly involved people below 65 years of age and the vast majority of serious cases concerned people 65 years of age and above, the Committee is temporarily recommending restricting the use of vaccine,” an announcement by the European Medicines Company stated on Could 7.
— With information from The Related Press
