CDC Examines Hospitalizations of Five Individuals Vaccinated Against Rare Chikungunya Virus

February 28, 2025 TruthUSA

The information provided by the FDA regarding the vaccine states that ‘vaccination with IXCHIQ may lead to serious or prolonged chikungunya-like adverse reactions.’

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that it is looking into the hospitalizations of five individuals who recently received a vaccine for the chikungunya virus, transmitted by mosquitoes.

According to a notice issued on Tuesday, the five hospitalized individuals were aged 65 and older and experienced cardiac or neurological issues following the administration of a vaccine known as IXCHIQ.

“This topic will be on the agenda for an upcoming meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Healthcare providers should discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination with travelers based on their age, destination, trip duration, and planned activities,” the agency noted.

Chikungunya is a rare viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes that causes joint pain and fever, primarily in subtropical and tropical regions. The CDC mentions outbreaks in the United States in 2014, 2015, and 2016, although no local cases have been documented since 2019.

As stated on the CDC’s website, the IXCHIQ vaccine comprises a live but weakened form of the chikungunya virus. Developed by Valneva, the vaccine received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2023, described as “the first chikungunya vaccine” intended for adults who are “at increased risk of exposure to chikungunya virus.”

The FDA’s information indicates that “vaccination with IXCHIQ may cause severe or prolonged chikungunya-like adverse reactions,” and it lists contraindications, including immune-compromising conditions or allergic reactions.

“Common side effects following vaccination that were reported in [over 10 percent] of participants in clinical trials included tenderness, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, and nausea,” according to the CDC.

The chikungunya vaccine was set to be a topic of discussion at an ACIP meeting scheduled for February 26, as indicated in a readout of proposed discussion topics for that meeting. However, the CDC postponed the meeting earlier this week.

The agency advises individuals traveling to regions with a high risk of chikungunya transmission to “take precautions to avoid” mosquito bites.

“The risk of chikungunya for the majority of U.S. travelers is low. However, specific travelers may be at a higher risk for infection or severe disease,” it noted. “When considering the use of the chikungunya vaccine, factors to assess include the likelihood of exposure to the chikungunya virus, a traveler’s risk factors for severe disease outcomes, and traveler preferences.”

Chikungunya is characterized by fever and intense joint pain, primarily affecting the hands and feet. Additional symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, swelling of joints, and rash. The virus originated in mosquito populations in Africa, southern Europe, and Southeast Asia, later reaching the Caribbean islands in 2013, according to the CDC.

Most cases reported in the United States occurred in individuals who traveled abroad, although a small number of cases were documented in the Florida Keys in 2014.

“Dengue and Zika share similar symptoms with chikungunya, making it easy to misdiagnose,” the World Health Organization indicates on its website. It further states that “severe symptoms and fatalities from chikungunya are rare and generally related to other pre-existing health issues.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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