Valneva’s Chikungunya Vaccine, IXCHIQ®, Steps Closer to Adolescent Approval in the UK
Saint Herblain, France, March 31, 2025 – Valneva SE, a leading specialty vaccine company, has made an exciting announcement regarding its chikungunya vaccine, IXCHIQ®. The company has submitted a label extension application to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom (UK) to potentially expand the use of this vaccine to adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. This comes after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recently issued a positive opinion on extending the IXCHIQ® label to adolescents in the European Union (EU) as well.
Background on Chikungunya Vaccine: IXCHIQ®
IXCHIQ® is a live-attenuated, temperature-stable chikungunya vaccine. It was initially approved for use in adults in the EU and the UK in 2023. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever, joint pain, and muscle pain. The disease is endemic in tropical regions, and outbreaks have been reported in temperate areas as well. The vaccine aims to prevent the disease and its associated symptoms.
Expansion to Adolescents: A Significant Development
The submission to the MHRA is a significant development, as it could potentially expand the reach of the vaccine to a larger population. Chikungunya is known to affect people of all ages, and the expansion of the vaccine to adolescents would provide them with protection against the disease. This is especially important given the increasing trend of chikungunya outbreaks in temperate regions and the potential for international travel to endemic areas.
Impact on Individuals: Protection against Chikungunya
For individuals, the potential approval of IXCHIQ® for adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the UK means that they could be protected against chikungunya. This is particularly important for those who travel frequently to endemic areas or live in regions where the disease is prevalent. The vaccine provides an effective way to prevent the disease and its associated symptoms, ensuring that individuals can enjoy their travels or daily lives without the fear of contracting chikungunya.
Impact on the World: Global Health and Economic Benefits
On a larger scale, the potential approval of IXCHIQ® for adolescents in the UK and the EU could have significant global health and economic benefits. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease that affects millions of people worldwide each year. The expansion of the vaccine to adolescents would provide them with protection against the disease, reducing the overall burden of the disease on public health systems and economies. This is especially important in regions where chikungunya is endemic and resources for healthcare and disease prevention are limited.
Conclusion: A Step Forward in Chikungunya Prevention
Valneva’s submission of a label extension application to the MHRA for the use of IXCHIQ® in adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the UK is a significant step forward in the prevention of chikungunya. The potential approval of the vaccine for this age group would provide protection to a larger population, reducing the burden of the disease on public health systems and economies. For individuals, the vaccine would offer peace of mind while traveling or living in regions where chikungunya is prevalent. The positive opinion of the EMA on expanding the label to adolescents in the EU further underscores the importance of this development in global health.
- Valneva SE submits label extension application to MHRA for use of chikungunya vaccine, IXCHIQ®, in adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the UK.
- This follows the recent positive opinion of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on extending the label to adolescents in the EU.
- IXCHIQ® is a live-attenuated, temperature-stable chikungunya vaccine approved for use in adults in the EU and the UK.
- Expansion of the vaccine to adolescents would provide protection to a larger population and reduce the burden of the disease on public health systems and economies.
- The potential approval of the vaccine for adolescents would offer peace of mind to individuals traveling or living in regions where chikungunya is prevalent.
