Chikungunya vaccine: First-ever Chikungunya vaccine gets US approval to combat mosquito-borne virus
Chikungunya vaccine: The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has marked a significant milestone by approving the world's maiden vaccine for chikungunya, identifying it as an escalating global health menace. Chikungunya, a mosquito-transmitted disease known for inducing fever and joint pain and posing a severe threat to newborns, currently lacks a specific treatment. The FDA's authorisation is anticipated to accelerate the vaccine's distribution worldwide, particularly in regions that have witnessed a substantial spike in reported cases.
As of September, around 440,000 instances of chikungunya have been documented this year, resulting in 350 fatalities. South America and South Asia have borne the brunt of this outbreak. Termed Ixchiq, the vaccine, developed by Valneva in Europe, has received approval for individuals aged 18 and above, specifically those at a heightened risk of contracting the disease. This single-shot vaccine is poised to make a significant impact in curbing the spread of the virus.
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Peter Marks, a senior FDA official, emphasised the gravity of chikungunya, particularly its ramifications on older adults and individuals with underlying health conditions. Since 2008, an alarming five million cases have been reported, with symptoms extending beyond fever and joint pain to encompass rashes, headaches, and muscle pain, often leading to months-long or even years-long joint discomfort.
The highest risk regions for chikungunya infection are tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Americas due to the endemic presence of mosquitoes carrying the virus. However, the FDA highlighted the concerning spread of the virus to new geographic areas, contributing to its escalating global prevalence.
Brazil has reported the highest number of cases this year, with over 218,613 instances, according to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. India, particularly Delhi, experienced a significant outbreak in 2016, with over 93,000 reported cases.
The disease, known for its fever and severe joint pain, is commonly found in specific geographic regions, leading to the FDA emphasising the escalating global prevalence, with over five million cases in the last 15 years. While fatalities are rare, the persistence of symptoms for months or years underscores the urgent need for a vaccine.
Efforts to combat the disease received a boost with a clinical study published in The Lancet. The study demonstrated that the vaccine, VLA1553, provided a high efficacy rate of 98.9 per cent in its Phase III human trial, offering promising protection against the disease. Based on the La Reunion strain of chikungunya, the live-attenuated vaccine showcased strong immune responses and was well-tolerated in participants, highlighting its potential as a preventive measure for both travelers and residents in endemic areas.
Martina Schneider, the lead author of the research paper, underlined the significance of this vaccine candidate in actively immunizing individuals in regions prone to outbreaks, emphasising the need for sustained antibody levels, a characteristic that this live-attenuated vaccine promises to provide, considering the disease's unpredictable epidemiology.
- With inputs from agencies
