The US Food and Drug Administration have approved the world's first vaccine Ixchiq for chikungunya.

 “Infection with chikungunya virus can lead to severe disease and prolonged health problems, particularly for older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions,”

The most common symptoms of chikungunya include fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include a rash, headache, and muscle pain. Some individuals may experience debilitating joint pain that persists for months or even years. Treatment includes rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications for pain and fever.

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Ixchiq is approved for individuals 18 years of age and older who are at increased risk of exposure to chikungunya virus.

Ixchiq is administered as a single dose by injection into the muscle. It contains a live, weakened version of the chikungunya virus.

The safety of Ixchiq was evaluated in two clinical studies conducted in North America in which about 3,500 participants 18 years of age and older received a dose of the vaccine with one study including about 1,000 participants who received a placebo.

The most commonly reported side effects by vaccine recipients were headache, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, nausea and tenderness at the injection site.

In addition, although not commonly reported, severe chikungunya-like adverse reactions that prevented daily activity and/or required medical intervention occurred in 1.6% of Ixchiq recipients and none of the placebo recipients.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Ixchiq in pregnant individuals, and human data available from clinical trials with Ixchiq are insufficient to establish the presence or absence of vaccine-associated risk during pregnancy.