Withdrawal of Chikungunya vaccination for individuals aged 65 and above in Reunion and Mayotte islands
Headline: Suspension of Vaccinations for Elderly in Chikungunya Outbreak
April 26, 2025: Health authorities in La Réunion and Mayotte have announced the suspension of vaccinations for individuals aged 65 and over, utilizing the Ixchiq vaccine, following three severe adverse events. These incidents include one death, prompting a parliamentary inquiry into the vaccination process for the elderly.
"In light of the gravity of these events, the General Directorate of Health has referred the matter to the Haute Autorité de Santé to reassess the indications for vaccination against chikungunya using the Ixchiq vaccine," the Ministry of Health stated in a press release.
Senator Audrey Belin of the Socialist Party has called for a parliamentary inquiry to shed light on the reasons behind the vacination error and management failures of the Regional Health Agency during the chikungunya epidemic.
Three Severe Adverse Events
The suspension of vaccinations comes after the authorities were informed of three severe adverse events on April 23 and 25. These unfortunate incidents occurred among La Réunion's elderly population with pre-existing medical conditions. Two individuals developed symptoms resembling a severe form of chikungunya a few days post-vaccination, with one unfortunate fatality. The third individual was discharged from the hospital.
On April 17, the Drug Agency announced heightened vigilance for potential post-vaccination side effects with the Ixchiq inoculation. Chikungunya is an infectious disease caused by a mosquito-transmitted virus, leading to fever and joint pain that can persist for several weeks.
La Réunion is currently grappling with a widespread and severe chikungunya outbreak, necessitating a vaccination campaign led by health authorities in early April. The Ixchiq vaccine, developed by Valneva, is Europe's first chikungunya vaccine to receive marketing authorization.
Despite the suspension for the elderly population, the Haute Autorité de Santé still recommends the continued use of the Ixchiq vaccine for adults aged 18 to 64, as part of the ongoing vaccination campaign against chikungunya in La Réunion and Mayotte.
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