UK restricts use of Valneva chikungunya vaccine for safety review

The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said that following global reports of serious adverse events in older people, the government’s independent expert advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines, has temporarily restricted use of a chikungunya vaccine called Ixchiq in people aged 65 and over until a further safety review has been concluded. “This is a precautionary measure while the MHRA conducts the safety review,” the agency said in a statement. The MHRA is working with the manufacturer of the vaccine, Valneva (VALN), it added. The vaccine was approved by the MHRA in February. “There will be no impact on operational issues as this vaccine is not yet available in the UK and therefore there is no immediate safety concern,” the agency said. The vaccine is currently contraindicated in individuals with immunodeficiency or immunosuppression as a result of disease or medical therapy.