Now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are warning U.S. travelers, particularly those 60 and up, to steer clear of Zika-affected areas. They will recommend against receiving the chikungunya vaccine as safety issues increase. This recommendation follows an evaluation of the potential adverse effects of this vaccine. This issue is even more acute for older adults who may have other co-morbidities.
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has spread rapidly in the past decade, infecting millions across the Americas, Asia and Africa. Ixchiq has developed a vaccine to protect against chikungunya. It’s currently accessible to those in the United States and Canada traveling to highly endemic areas. The CDC’s recent advisory reflects a cautious approach concerning the vaccine’s administration to older adults.
As the Adverse Events Following Immunization review concluded, there were some alarming cases. Six participants aged 65 and older had new onset heart or brain-related symptoms in the week after chikungunya vaccination. The majority of these patients had significant underlying medical conditions, leading to uncertainty about the safety profile of the vaccine in this population.
The CDC and FDA noted, “As of May 7, 2025, 17 serious adverse events, including two that resulted in death, have been reported in individuals 62 through 89 years of age who received Ixchiq during postmarketing use globally.”
European regulators are tackling similar issues. They further advise that use of the chikungunya vaccine be restricted for older age groups. The European Medicines Agency stated, “Given that studies on Ixchiq mainly involved people below 65 years of age and the vast majority of serious cases concerned people 65 years of age and above, the Committee is temporarily recommending restricting the use of vaccine.“
Health Canada’s approval of this chikungunya vaccine should mean that travelers have access to it. Despite an abundance of warnings about its dangers, this approval underscores its critical importance. Annually, only 100-200 cases of the mosquito-borne virus chikungunya are reported by U.S. travelers returning home. Unfortunately, there has been at least one reported death due to encephalitis resulting from the virus.
Travelers who plan to visit places where chikungunya poses a big risk should certainly seek specific advice from healthcare professionals. They must consider both the risks and rewards of vaccination, particularly if they are elderly or have comorbid health conditions.
