The chikungunya vaccine helps prevent chikungunya disease in people who are at increased risk of exposure to chikungunya virus due to travel abroad or laboratory work.
Chikungunya disease is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. The chikungunya vaccines do not protect against dengue, yellow fever, or Zika virus infection, which are transmitted by the same Aedes mosquito.
Vaccine Type
There are 2 chikungunya vaccines available for use worldwide.
One chikungunya vaccine is a live-attenuated vaccine, which means it contains a weakened (attenuated) but still live version of the chikungunya virus (this vaccine is not available in the United States). Because the virus is weakened, it can cannot cause chikungunya disease, but it does trigger a strong response from a person's immune system (see Active immunization).
The other chikungunya vaccine is a recombinant vaccine, which means it contains only a specific piece of the chikungunya virus (such as its protein). This vaccine contains a harmless version of the chikungunya virus protein that is manufactured in a laboratory and is recombined with other substances. The body's immune system is then able to recognize and fight the protein if a person becomes infected.
Dose of and Recommendations for Chikungunya Vaccine
The chikungunya vaccines are given as 1 injection into a muscle.
People who should receive this vaccine
Chikungunya vaccine is recommended for people traveling to a country or territory where there is a chikungunya outbreak.
Chikungunya vaccine is also recommended for laboratory workers who may work with or be exposed to the chikungunya virus.
In addition, chikungunya vaccine may be considered for the following people traveling to a country or territory where there is no outbreak but where there is evidence of chikungunya virus transmission between humans within the last 5 years:
Recombinant vaccine only: People over 65 years old, particularly those with underlying medical conditions (such as a weakened immune system) who are likely to have at least moderate exposure to mosquitoes (moderate exposure could include travelers who might have at least 2 cumulative weeks of exposure to mosquitoes in indoor or outdoor settings)
People staying in such an area for a cumulative period of 6 months or more
People who should not receive this vaccine
People who have had a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction (such as an anaphylactic reaction) to any component in the chikungunya vaccine should not receive it.
People whose immune system is weakened by a disorder (such as HIV infection) or who need to take medications that suppress their immune system (such as corticosteroids or chemotherapy agents) should not receive chikungunya vaccine.
Pregnant people should not receive the vaccine until after delivery. However, if they cannot avoid being exposed to chikungunya virus while pregnant, they should discuss with their doctor the risks of infection versus the possible benefits and risks of vaccination. If pregnant people opt to receive the vaccine, doctors recommend they receive it during the second or early third trimester. The vaccine is not given during the first trimester or late in the third trimester.
Similar recommendations are given to people who are breastfeeding (chestfeeding). However, if the risk of chikungunya infection is high, such as during an outbreak, the vaccine may be given, but breastfeeding people should discuss with their doctor the benefits of breastfeeding for their infant versus the risks of infection.
The live-attenuated vaccine should not be used in people 60 years old and older.
Side Effects of Chikungunya Vaccine
The most commonly reported side effects include the following:
Injection site reaction and tenderness
Headache
Fatigue
Muscle pain
Joint pain
Fever
Nausea
Fainting
The live-attenuated vaccine is not available in the United States. It may cause severe side effects similar to those of chikungunya disease, resulting in hospitalization, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), and death.
For more information about side effects, see the package inserts.
