Chikungunya Vaccination Approved for Adults By the U.S. FDA

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a challenging mosquito-borne illness that has been detected worldwide in recent years.

Since its rapid spread began in 2004, chikungunya has affected individuals in over 110 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, including in areas in southeast China this year.

Recent chikungunya outbreaks have been reported in Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion, Somalia, and Sri Lanka. 

In 2025, the World Health Organization acknowledged chikungunya as a significant public health problem, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing this illness with proactive measures, such as vaccinations.

While CHIKV preventive vaccines have been approved by various countries since 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today clarified who is eligible.

Valneva SE announced on August 7, 2025, that the FDA has removed its recommended pause in the use of IXCHIQ® in individuals 60 years of age and older and has approved updates to the Prescribing Information for IXCHIQ®.

IXCHIQ® remains indicated in the U.S. for the prevention of disease caused by the CHIKV in individuals 18 years of age and older who are at high risk of exposure to CHIKV.

The FDA decision follows the announcement in July 2025 by the European Medicines Agency, which recommended the lifting of temporary restrictions in elderly people after the conclusion of a thorough review of IXCHIQ® by its safety committee.

The U.S. CDC has issued Travel Health Advisories in 2025 that recommend vaccination for specific travelers visiting areas with a chikungunya outbreak, such as Cuba.

Two chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in the U.S. and are commercailly available at travel-vaccination clinics.