The U.S. government is advising older travelers to avoid the chikungunya vaccine because of possible side effects.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a safety communication recommending that Americans 60 years of age and older pause the use of the vaccine Ixchiq. The agencies are continuing to investigate reports of potentially serious adverse effects, like cardiac and neurological events.
According to the release, as of May 7, over a dozen serious adverse events were reported, two of which resulted in death. The 17 events were recorded in people aged 62 through 89 who obtained the vaccine, with six of those reports stemming from the United States.
“Ixchiq contains a live, weakened version of the chikungunya virus and may cause symptoms similar to those of chikungunya disease. Some of the postmarketing reports include adverse events that are consistent with severe complications of chikungunya disease, resulting in hospitalization; one person died from encephalitis,” read the joint notice.
In November 2023, Ixchiq was approved for the prevention of disease caused by the chikungunya virus in people aged 18 and up.
Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by infected mosquitoes and caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), according to the World Health Organization. CHIKV has been identified in more than 110 countries and typically shows symptoms in four to eight days following a bite by an infected mosquito.
The FDA plans to conduct a new benefit-risk assessment for the vaccine’s use in elderly recipients.
“In addition, FDA and CDC will continue the evaluation of postmarketing safety reports for Ixchiq. While the safety of Ixchiq for use in individuals 60 years of age and older is being further assessed, FDA and CDC are recommending a pause in use of the vaccine in this age group. FDA and CDC will update the public when the Agencies complete their evaluation of this safety issue,” the release concluded.