By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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TUESDAY, May 13, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 U.S. health officials are telling travelers aged 60 and older to avoid a chikungunya vaccine while they investigate possible side effects.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the warning late last week.<\/p>\n
The concern focuses on the Valneva vaccine, known as Ixchiq, the Associated Press <\/em>reported. Valneva is a specialty vaccine developer based in France.<\/p>\n Chikungunya is a tropical illness spread by mosquito bites. It causes fever and painful joints. About 100 to 200 U.S. travelers get the illness each year.<\/p>\n The government previously recommended the vaccine for adults traveling to areas where chikungunya may be common, including countries in Central and South America, Asia, India and Africa. The vaccine uses a weakened version of the virus.<\/p>\n The AP<\/em> reported that a panel of CDC advisers recently learned of six seniors who developed serious heart or brain symptoms within a week of vaccination. Most had other health problems.<\/p>\n Officials also received reports of more than 10 similar cases in other countries.<\/p>\n European regulators are also investigating, AP <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n A CDC advisory panel has now urged caution for adults aged 65 and older considering the Ixchiq<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n They also recommended a second vaccine, Vimkunya<\/a> by Bavarian Nordic, for people 12 and older traveling to areas with chikungunya outbreaks.<\/p>\n CDC officials have not yet made a final decision on the new recommendations.<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n The World Health Organization has more on chikungunya<\/a>.<\/p>\n