Serious Side Effect Reported with Ixchiq Chikungunya Vaccine

Flash VIG-news - Ixchiq vaccine against chikungunya: reminder of recommendations

date: 16/04/2026 The FAMHP has been notified of a case of a serious side effect following the administration of Ixchiq vaccine in Belgium.

The FAMHP has been informed of a case of a serious side effect involving fever, joint pain and neurological symptoms, which occurred in a person over 60 years following the administration of Ixchiq vaccine against chikungunya.

Serious side effects, including neurological ones, have previously been reported with the Ixchiq vaccine, particularly in the elderly. This Flash-Vig aims to remind people of the recommendations of the Superior Health Council on vaccination against chikungunya, which have recently been revised to include the latest safety data.

Extracts from the recommendations of the Superior Health Council
Vaccination against chikungunya is recommended for persons travelling to a region with a high risk of infection (for example in the event of an epidemic). Vaccination should be considered for people travelling to areas with a moderate risk, taking into account additional factors such as the duration of the trip (e.g. >3 months), the frequency of travel (resulting in comparable cumulative exposure) and underlying medical conditions that may increase the risk of more severe symptoms of chikungunya.

Vaccination is not indicated for travellers going to areas where circulation of the virus is low or limited to localised small clusters (e.g. in France or Italy).

Two vaccines against chikungunya are available: the Ixchiq vaccine (live attenuated vaccine) and the Vimkunya vaccine (virus like particle vaccine, VLP), both authorised from the age of 12.

The Ixchiq vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and is therefore contra indicated in:
• pregnant or breastfeeding women;
• immunocompromised persons.

Given concerns about the reactogenicity and side effects associated with the vaccine, the Ixchiq vaccine is not recommended for:
• vulnerable persons;
• persons with uncontrolled comorbidities;
• persons aged 60 years and over, in accordance with the recommendations applicable to the yellow fever vaccine.

If the use of Ixchiq vaccine is being considered for any of these categories of people, this use must be subject to a thorough individual assessment of the benefit risk ratio, carried out in approved travel clinics.

Further information
•    Superior Health Council: Vaccination against chikungunya (revision 2026)
•    Wanda: Approved travel clinics
•    Wanda for doctors: Chikungunya; Chikungunya vaccination
•    EMA: Meeting Highlights March 2026 - PRAC warns about known risk of aseptic meningitis with chikungunya vaccine Ixchiq

Reporting side effects
Patients and healthcare professionals are encouraged to report any suspected side effects on the following website: www.famhp.be/en/side_effect.
You can read the package leaflet as well as the SmPC via the FAMHP medicines database.

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Last updated on

27/04/2026