FDA Approves World's First Chikungunya Vaccine

Valneva's Single-Dose Vaccine Ixchiq to Address Global Health Threat, Post-Marketing Study Required

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the world's first vaccine for chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease that is seen as an emerging global health threat.
The vaccine, named Ixchiq, was developed by Europe's Valneva and will be administered in a single shot. It is approved for those aged 18 and above who are at high risk of contracting the disease.
Chikungunya causes fever and joint pains and can be fatal to newborns. There is currently no specific drug to treat the disease, which has seen the most number of cases in South America and South Asia this year.
The FDA's approval is expected to speed up the vaccine's global rollout. This year, about 440,000 chikungunya cases, including 350 deaths, have been reported as of September.
The vaccine contains a live, weakened version of the virus, so it may cause symptoms that are similar to an infection. The FDA is requiring Valneva to conduct a post-market study to ensure there are no serious risks to the vaccine.