US approves first Chikungunya vaccine amid growing global health concerns

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chikungunya virus, following the standard approach for vaccines. Two clinical trials conducted in North America on 3,500 participants revealed common side effects such as headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever, and nausea. Serious reactions were reported in 1.6 percent of recipients, with two cases requiring hospitalization.

Valneva has also submitted an application for authorization with the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The US FDA greenlight is anticipated to expedite the vaccine's deployment, particularly in countries where the chikungunya virus is prevalent. The virus, causing fever and severe joint pain, is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Americas.

The FDA highlighted the global rise in chikungunya cases, reporting over five million instances in the past 15 years, the report said. Chikungunya symptoms can persist for months or even years, although fatalities are rare. Currently, there is no specific drug for treating chikungunya, with pain and fever relief medications being the common recourse.

Until now, the primary preventive measure was to avoid mosquito bites. Senior FDA official Peter Marks in a statement emphasised the severity of the disease, particularly for older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions. "The approval is viewed as a crucial step in addressing an unmet medical need and advancing the prevention of this potentially debilitating disease," he added.