Older Europeans Have Two Chikungunya Vaccine Options

With the acceleration of Chikungunya outbreaks being reported in Europe during the spring of 2025, older Europeans now have two approved vaccines to choose from before visiting an at-risk area this summer.

As of July 11, 2025, Valneva SE announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will lift the temporary restriction on vaccinating people aged 65 years and above after concluding a thorough review of Valneva's single-dose Chikungunya vaccine IXCHIQ® by the EMA's safety committee.

IXCHIQ was authorised in the European Union in June 2024, and in March 2025, the European Commission granted a label extension for adolescents aged 12 years and older.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted by the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes, causing symptoms such as fever, severe joint and muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. Joint pain is often debilitating and can persist for weeks to years.

Current CHIKV outbreaks, which are impacting summer vacations, are occurring in France's southern coastal areas, as well as in the Departments of Corsica, Mayotte, and Réunion.

According to the U.S. CDC, the EMA, and other health agencies, international travelers should speak with a travel vaccine expert before visiting areas with CHIV outbreaks in 2025.

The time between the vaccine's administration and the start of travel to at-risk areas is significant for seniors. 

The U.S. Travel Association recently reported that last-minute travelers deferred approximately 18% of their protective vaccines due to insufficient time before departure.

Both Chikungunya vaccines are commercially offered at travel clinics and pharmacies in the United States.