The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday announced its approval of Ixchiq, the first chikungunya vaccine.
The vaccine developed by Valneva for the prevention of the chikungunya virus has received approval for individuals aged 18 and older who have a risk of being exposed to the virus. Chikungunya is a viral infection transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes. The approval of this vaccine provides an additional tool in the efforts to prevent and control the spread of the chikungunya virus in populations at risk.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a medical contributor to Fox News, highlighted that the chikungunya virus is in a category similar to dengue or Zika and is transmitted by the same mosquitoes.
The FDA has characterized chikungunya as an “emerging global health threat,” noting that there have been at least five million reported cases over the past 15 years. This designation underscores the significance of addressing and preventing the spread of the virus, and the approval of the vaccine by Valneva is a step toward mitigating this health threat. The US Food
Peter Marks, M.D., PhD, the director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, emphasized the potential severity of chikungunya infection, stating, “Infection with chikungunya virus can lead to severe disease and prolonged health problems, particularly for older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions.” This underscores the importance of preventive measures, including vaccination, to protect vulnerable populations from the potential health risks associated with the chikungunya virus.