The regulatory agency has warned it shouldn’t be used by people over a certain age or with four specific conditions
28 cases of serious adverse reactions to the vaccine have been reported globally(Image: GETTY)
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has announced major changes to a specific vaccine, urging medical professionals not to use it for patients aged 60 and over or those with specific health conditions.
The Chikungunya vaccine, IXCHIQ, is being restricted after global safety data showed 28 cases of serious adverse reactions, of which three had a fatal outcome. The vaccine is still favourable for people who are at risk of Chikungunya infection between the ages of 18 to 59 and don’t have the listed conditions.
This specific Chikungunya vaccine was initially approved by the MHRA in February 2025. In June, the agency issued a temporary precautionary pause on the use for people aged 65 and over while safety data was reviewed.
The vaccine still has favourable results for people without these conditions between the ages of 18 and 59(Image: GETTY)
People who have been told not to have the vaccine:
Over 60sHigh blood pressureHeart DiseaseDiabetesChronic Kidney Disease
It’s also been advised that people who are immunodeficient, immunosuppressed or have a history of thymus disorder or thymectomy do not have the vaccine. The restrictions confirmed on February 11 come as a result of recommendations from the government’s independent expert advisory committee.
Healthcare professionals are urged to undertake a comprehensive risk assessment before offering the IXCHIQ vaccine. They have also been told to exercise caution when vaccinating people with two or more underlying chronic health conditions.
There is no specific medication that can prevent the virus, but people travelling to at-risk areas are usually advised to have one of two vaccines approved for use in the UK. This includes IXCHIQ and Vimkunya.
Chikungunya is a viral infection transmitted through infected mosquitoes(Image: GETTY)
Chikungunya is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes and was first isolated during an outbreak in Tanzania in 1952. Chikungunya means ‘that which bends up’ in the native Makonde language, owing to the cripping pain it causes in a person’s joints.
Some people may not experience any symptoms, while others may have severe reactions to the virus. It can also be misdiagnosed as other viruses, such as dengue fever.
Most people who become infected develop a sudden fever and severe pain in multiple joints alongside swelling or rashes. Symptoms tend to resolve within 10 days and most patients make a full recovery according to Gov.uk guidance.
The virus cannot be spread from person to person through casual contact such as coughing, sneezing, or touching. It’s found in subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, Southeast Asia, India, and the Pacific Region.