Originally published by our sister publication Infectious Disease Special Edition
By IDSE News Staff
The new chikungunya vaccine, recombinant (Vimkunya, Bavarian Nordic A/S), the first virus-like particle (VLP) single-dose, prefilled syringe vaccine approved by the FDA, is now available, the company announced.
The vaccine for use in people 12 years of age and older is the first chikungunya vaccine to leverage VLP technology, using VLPs designed to mimic the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) without the ability to infect cells, replicate or cause disease.
The chikungunya vaccine expands those eligible for vaccination against CHIKV to travelers. Prior to this approval, a vaccine for CHIKV prevention was only available for adults 18 and older.
Chikungunya, mosquito-borne disease, is an emerging global health threat, with active transmission becoming more common and widespread due to the growth of cities, global travel, CHIKV mutations and climate change (Cur Infect Dis Rep 2022;24[12]:217-228).
Since its discovery, CHIKV has been identified in more than 110 countries, with evidence of transmission confirmed in more than 50 countries over the past five years. Chikungunya typically presents with acute symptoms, including fever, rash, fatigue, headache, and often severe and incapacitating joint pain. Most patients recover, but 30% to 40% of those affected may develop chronic symptoms that can last for months or even years. In 2024, 620,000 cases of CHIKV and more than 200 deaths were reported worldwide (Sci Rep 2017;7:3813). Recent data suggest that CHIKV is severely underreported and often misdiagnosed as dengue fever due to a similar symptom profile, according to the CDC.
Receiving vaccination against CHIKV prior to visiting areas where there is a risk for the disease can help prevent contraction and the potential for long-term illness, according to the CDC.
Access to the vaccine depends on location and individual circumstances, according to Bavarian Nordic. In some areas, a prescription may be required, so travelers should check with their healthcare provider or a travel health clinic to determine availability and whether they need a prescription. Those visiting or living in areas where chikungunya is present or who have risk factors for severe disease should consult a healthcare professional to assess their need for vaccination.
“The commercial availability of Vimkunya in the U.S. underscores our commitment to addressing emerging health threats and safeguarding communities nationwide,” said Lee Ann Kimak, the vice president, Commercial for North America, at Bavarian Nordic. “As the first virus-like particle single-dose, prefilled syringe chikungunya vaccine, Vimkunya provides a crucial new tool to help protect at-risk individuals traveling to regions where the virus is spreading.”
The FDA approved the vaccine, a single-dose 1-mL glass prefilled syringe, on Feb. 14, 2025. The approval was based on results from two phase 3 clinical trials that enrolled more than 3,500 healthy individuals 12 years of age and older (medRxiv 2024 Oct 15). Primary end points were met in the phase 3 trials, with results showing that 21 days after vaccination, the vaccine induced neutralizing antibodies in up to 97.8% of individuals vaccinated and demonstrated a rapid immune response starting to develop within one week (medRxiv 2024 Dec 3). The vaccine was well tolerated and adverse events were mainly mild or moderate.