First Vaccine for Mosquito-Born Viral Disease Is Approved by FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved IXCHIQ, Valneva’s single-dose, live-attenuated vaccine indicated for the prevention of disease caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in individuals 18 years of age and older who are at increased risk of exposure to CHIKV. The chikungunya virus infects more than 300,000 people per year globally, mostly in the global south. The virus has recently become more prevalent in the north, however, leading to FDA approval of the new vaccine. The vaccine will be available for vulnerable populations of adults such as those who have recently traveled to places with infected mosquito populations and those with predisposed risks.

Common symptoms of the virus include fever and joint pain. About 28 Americans get the disease per year, but 81 cases were reported last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Infection with chikungunya virus can lead to severe disease and prolonged health problems, particularly for older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions,” said Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Today’s approval addresses an unmet medical need and is an important advancement in the prevention of a potentially debilitating disease with limited treatment options.”