Chikungunya vaccination

Vaccination against chikungunya is recommended for some travellers from the age of 12 year. Vimkunya® and Ixchiq® are available in Belgium. Ixchiq® is a live attenuated vaccine and should therefore not be used in people with a weakened immune system, during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding.  

When is vaccination recommended?  

• All travellers to an area with an active outbreak, as listed on the country information page.  
• Some travellers to a moderate-risk area: vaccination may be considered for stays longer than 3 months, for frequent travellers, or for people with certain medical conditions (e.g. rheumatism).  

What is the vaccination schedule?

Both vaccines consist of a single dose, preferably at least 14 days before departure.  

Which vaccines are available?

Vimkunya® (inactivated vaccine) is the preferred option  

• from 12 years of age  
• no serious side effects have been reported to date
• the level of protection after 6 months is still uncertain 

Ixchiq® (live attenuated vaccine)

• there have been reports of serious side effects, particularly in people over 60 years of age.  
• should not be used in people over 60 years of age, those with a weakened immune system, frail individuals, or during pregnancy and breastfeeding.  
• it’s use is restricted to selected situations in healthy individuals aged 12 to 60, and it is preferably administered in a specialised travel clinic.
• protection appears to last at least 3 years.  
• it should not be given at the same time as other live vaccines, such as the yellow fever vaccine (Stamaril®). There must be at least 4 weeks between the two vaccines. If this is not feasible, the yellow fever vaccine should be given priority.  

 What are the side effects?

• Both vaccines can cause redness at the injection site, muscle pain, fatigue, headache, joint pain and fever, these are seen more frequently with Ixchiq® than with Vimkunya®.  
• For Ixchiq®, there have been reports of serious side effects (such as inflammation of the brain or meninges), particularly in people over 60 with underlying medical conditions, but sporadically in young, healthy individuals.   

Additional information for doctors

• Information on chikungunya vaccination for doctors