Valneva, a specialty vaccine company, revealed an update on the French health agency’s recommendation for its chikungunya vaccine, IXCHIQ®. The Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) in France modified its guidance after reports of severe adverse events in elderly individuals during the vaccination campaign in La Reunion and Mayotte. The vaccination effort in La Reunion, where around 40,000 cases have been confirmed, faced a setback as the use of IXCHIQ® in people aged 65 and above was suspended due to reported serious adverse events, including hospitalizations and one fatality.
Following the investigation into these adverse events, the French health authorities decided to halt the use of IXCHIQ® in individuals aged 65 and older. The three cases that prompted this action involved elderly individuals with pre-existing health conditions. While the causality is yet to be definitively established, the authorities are exercising caution by suspending the vaccine for this age group. However, the recommendation for individuals aged 18 to 64 remains unchanged, and Valneva is collaborating with regulators on the next steps to address the situation.
Dr. Juan Carlos Jaramillo, the Chief Medical Officer of Valneva, emphasized the company’s commitment to safety standards and acknowledged the importance of ongoing safety surveillance. Valneva is advocating for healthcare providers to evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of vaccination based on individual medical histories. The company is also exploring potential updates to the vaccine’s indication in light of recent developments.
The chikungunya virus, transmitted by infected mosquitoes, causes fever, joint pain, muscle aches, and other symptoms. The disease has been a global concern since 2004, with outbreaks reported in over 110 countries across different continents. The economic and health impact of chikungunya is significant, with millions of cases reported, particularly in the Americas. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified chikungunya as a major public health challenge, exacerbated by climate change influencing the geographical spread of the disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Valneva specializes in developing prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases to address unmet medical needs. With a focus on innovative vaccine solutions, the company has successfully brought multiple vaccines from research to market, including travel vaccines. Valneva’s robust pipeline includes vaccine candidates for Lyme disease, Shigella, Zika virus, and other global health threats, reflecting its dedication to advancing public health through vaccination.
While the situation with the chikungunya vaccine in France raises concerns, Valneva’s collaboration with health authorities and its commitment to safety underscore the importance of stringent surveillance and evaluation in the vaccination process. As research and development in the vaccine industry continue to evolve, ensuring the safety and efficacy of vaccines remains a priority for companies like Valneva in safeguarding public health.
