Federal officials have approved use of a new chikungunya vaccine for certain adolescent and adult travelers.
The chikungunya virus-like particle vaccine (CHIK-VLP; Vimkunya) from Bavarian Nordic was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on April 16. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed off on the recommendations Tuesday as confirmation of a new CDC director is pending. He has not taken action on ACIP’s recommendations for a pentavalent meningococcal vaccine.
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease largely found in tropical and subtropical regions. From 2012-’24, just over 5,000 cases were reported in U.S. travelers. From 2022-’24, about 100-200 cases in U.S. travelers were reported each year, although that figure may be an undercount, according to the CDC.
The CDC estimates the risk of chikungunya for one week of travel to an outbreak area is 667 cases and 27 hospitalizations per 100,000 people.
Fever and joint pain are the most common symptoms in people with chikungunya. For some, the joint pain is severe and debilitating and can last for months.
The Vimkunya vaccine was licensed in the U.S. in February 2025 and is indicated as a single dose for people ages 12 years and older. It is the only chikungunya vaccine licensed for adolescents.
Randomized, controlled trials showed the vaccine likely provides good short-term protection, while rates of serious adverse events were similar to a placebo group.
The vaccine was licensed through an accelerated approval pathway, and more studies will be conducted.
Under the recommendations approved this week, the vaccine can be used for people ages 12 years and older traveling to a country or territory where there is a chikungunya outbreak. In addition, vaccination may be considered for people 12 years and older traveling or taking up residence in a country or territory without an outbreak but with elevated risk for U.S. travelers planning to travel for an extended period.
Pregnancy is a precaution for Vimkunya vaccination, while breastfeeding is not a contraindication or precaution. The CDC will publish detailed guidance for these populations.
During its April meeting, ACIP also recommended that GSK’s pentavalent meningococcal vaccine (MenABCWY; Penmenvy) be used in the same way as the pentavalent meningococcal vaccine from Pfizer (Penbraya) — as an option for people who are recommended to receive both MenACWY and MenB vaccines at the same visit. This includes healthy people ages 16-23 years who choose to receive MenB vaccination after a discussion with their health care provider. It also includes individuals 10 years and older who are at increased risk of meningococcal disease due to health conditions (persistent complement deficiencies, complement inhibitor use or functional or anatomic asplenia) and are due for both vaccines. That recommendation is awaiting final approval.
