Devanjana Mukherjee, Khabri Media
While the approval marks a pivotal moment in the fight against the virus, continued research and vigilance in monitoring its efficacy and safety post-approval will be essential.
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The chikungunya virus is primarily transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya is an emerging global health threat with at least 5 million cases of chikungunya virus infection reported during the past 15 years. To subscribe please click tau.id/2iy6f and access our live channel.
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Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Ixchiq, the first chikungunya vaccine. Ixchiq is approved for individuals 18 years of age and older who are at increased risk of exposure to chikungunya virus. The highest risk of infection is in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Americas.
The most common symptoms of chikungunya include fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include a rash, headache, and muscle pain. Some individuals may experience debilitating joint pain that persists for months or even years. Treatment includes rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications for pain and fever.
Ixchiq is administered as a single dose by injection into the muscle. It contains a live, weakened version of the chikungunya virus and may cause symptoms in the vaccine recipient similar to those experienced by people who have chikungunya disease.
The most commonly reported side effects by vaccine recipients were headache, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, nausea and tenderness at the injection site. Severe chikungunya-like adverse reactions that prevented daily activity and/or required medical intervention occurred in 1.6% of Ixchiq recipients.
The safety of Ixchiq was evaluated in two clinical studies conducted in North America in which about 3,500 participants 18 years of age and older received a dose of the vaccine with one study including about 1,000 participants who received a placebo.
However, Ixchiq’s approval brings about several potential impacts, the most immediate being its ability to reduce the risk of Chikungunya infection among individuals residing in or traveling to high-risk areas. This breakthrough not only offers protection to individuals but also contributes to curbing the spread of the disease, potentially lowering the burden on healthcare systems in affected regions.
Furthermore, the approval of Ixchiq holds promise in altering the dynamics of public health strategies. Vaccination campaigns, especially in endemic areas, can significantly mitigate the transmission of Chikungunya, leading to a reduced number of cases and subsequent complications associated with the disease.
