Chikungunya virus at a glance
Medicine class
Live attenuated viral vaccine
Licensed age range
Adults aged 18 to 59 years
Administration
Injection into an upper-arm muscle by a trained healthcare professional
Travel timing
Assessment and vaccination must be arranged at least 30 days before travel
Continuing protection
Mosquito-bite precautions remain necessary after vaccination
What is Chikungunya virus used for?
IXCHIQ is licensed for active immunisation against disease caused by chikungunya virus in adults aged 18 to 59 years, in accordance with official recommendations.
It may be considered for travel to an area with an active chikungunya outbreak.
It may be considered for long-term or frequent travel to areas with recent transmission.
It may be considered for laboratory staff working with chikungunya virus.
How does Chikungunya virus work?
IXCHIQ contains a weakened form of chikungunya virus. It stimulates neutralising antibodies that prepare the immune system to respond to later exposure. The exact protective mechanism is not fully established, and not everyone develops protection.
How to take Chikungunya virus
IXCHIQ is reconstituted and injected into the deltoid muscle by a trained healthcare professional. Food does not affect administration.
Remain available for observation immediately after vaccination.
Continue using effective mosquito-bite precautions.
Do not donate blood for at least four weeks after vaccination.
Chikungunya virus side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Muscle or joint pain
- Fever
- Nausea
- Tenderness, pain, redness, hardening or swelling at the injection site
- Swollen lymph nodes, rash or chills
- Back pain, diarrhoea or vomiting
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty or facial or throat swelling
- Encephalitis, encephalopathy or meningitis symptoms, including confusion, sleepiness, seizures or stiff neck
- Severe or prolonged chikungunya-like illness
- Marked worsening of general health or an existing medical condition
Chikungunya virus in pregnancy
Pregnancy experience is very limited. A specialist should assess exposure risk, stage of pregnancy and potential risks from both wild-type infection and vaccine viraemia before IXCHIQ is considered.
Chikungunya virus while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether the vaccine virus passes into human milk, and a risk to the infant cannot be excluded. The need for vaccination and benefits of breastfeeding require individual assessment, particularly if the infant is immunosuppressed.
Chikungunya virus interactions
Tell the vaccination clinician about medicines, vaccines and recent blood products before IXCHIQ is given.
Other vaccines
Giving another vaccine at the same time is not recommended because safety and immune-response data are unavailable.
Immunoglobulins, blood or plasma transfusions
Recent or planned administration may interfere with the expected immune response, so the clinician must check timing.
Immunosuppressive medicines
Immunosuppression can make this live vaccine contraindicated and increase the risk from vaccine-virus replication.
Common questions about Chikungunya virus
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is IXCHIQ used for?
It helps prevent disease caused by chikungunya virus in suitable adults at meaningful exposure risk. It does not treat chikungunya after infection.
Is IXCHIQ a live vaccine?
Yes. It contains a live, attenuated strain of chikungunya virus.
Who may be considered for IXCHIQ in the UK?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.