Chikungunya Vaccine

Chikungunya Vaccine, recombinant is a vaccine indicated for the prevention of disease caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in individuals 12 years of age and older.

Chikungunya Vaccine, recombinant is available under the following different brand names: Vimkunya

Common side effects of Chikungunya Vaccine, recombinant include:

• injection site pain
• fatigue
• headache
• myalgia

Serious side effects of Chikungunya Vaccine, recombinant include:

• severe dehydration

Rare side effects of Chikungunya Vaccine, recombinant include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, coordination loss, unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Injection, IM suspension

• 40 mcg CHIKV virus-like particles/0.8 mL single-dose prefilled syringe

Chikungunya Virus

Adult and pediatric dosage

• 0.8 mL IM x 1 dose

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

Contraindications

• History of severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any vaccine component

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Chikungunya Vaccine, recombinant?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Chikungunya Vaccine, recombinant?”

Cautions

Allergic reactions

• Appropriate medical treatment must be immediately available to manage potential anaphylactic reactions following administration

Altered immunocompetence

• Immunocompromised individuals, including those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a diminished immune response
• Sero response rate in older individuals aged greater than 65 years was lower than that observed in younger individuals

Syncope

• Syncope may occur in association with the administration of injectable vaccines
• Procedures should be in place to avoid injury from fainting

Pregnancy and Lactation

• There are no clinical studies in pregnant women; data are insufficient to inform vaccine-associated risks in pregnancy

Pregnancy registry

• Women who receive recombinant Chikungunya Vaccine during pregnancy are encouraged to contact, or have their healthcare provider contact, 1-888-230-2491 to enroll

Clinical considerations

Vertical transmission of wild-type CHIKV to neonates from pregnant women with viremia at delivery is common and can cause severe, potentially fatal CHIKV disease in neonates, with neurologic (e.g., encephalopathy, intracranial hemorrhage) and myocardial manifestations

Lactation

• Human data are not available to assess vaccine impact on milk production, its presence in breast milk, or its effects on breastfed children