Virus: US approves world’s 1st chikungunya vaccine

WASHINGTON: US health authorities on Thursday approved the world’s first vaccine for chikungunya, a virusspread by infected mosquitoes that the FDA called “an emerging global health threat”. The vaccine, developed by Europe’s Valneva, will be marketed under the name Ixchiq. It was approved for people aged 18 and over who are at increased risk of exposure.Ixchiq’s green-light by the US drug regulator is expected to speed the vaccine’s rollout in nations where the virus is most prevalent.
Chikungunya, which causes fever and severe joint pain, is generally seen in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southeast Asia and parts of the Americas. “However, chikungunya virus has spread to new geographical areas causing a rise in global prevalence of the disease,” the FDA said, reporting over five million cases in the past 15 years.
The vaccine is injected in one dose and contains a live, weakened version of the chikungunya virus. Two trials were carried out in North America on 3,500 people. Headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever and nausea were commonly reported side effects. Serious reactions were reported in 1.6% of recipients, with two needing hospitalisation. Some recipients had chikungunya- like adverse reactions that lasted for 30 days or more. AFP