Lhe IXCHIQ vaccine powder and solvent for solution for injection is indicated in active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in adults (people aged 18 years or more).
IXCHIQ is a live attenuated vaccine. It received European marketing authorization (AMM) on June 28, 2024. It is the first vaccine against chikungunya available on the French market.
The use of this vaccine should be in accordance with official recommendations. It is particularly contraindicated in people who are immunodeficient or immunocompromised due to illness or medical treatment.
As of November 12, 2024, the High Authority for Health (HAS) has not defined a vaccination strategy against chikungunya virus infection.
IXCHIQ is subject to additional monitoring which will enable the rapid identification of new security-related information. Healthcare professionals report any suspected adverse reactions.
How effective?
The clinical effectiveness of IXCHIQ was extrapolated from a threshold value of neutralizing antibody titer against CHIKV after vaccination.
The pivotal study VLA1553-301 conducted versus placebo evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of this vaccine in healthy subjects aged 18 years and older and not having anti-CHIKV neutralizing antibodies before vaccination. After injection of 1 dose of IXCHIQ:
- 98,9 % of participants had anti-CHIKV neutralizing antibody titers μPRNT50 ≥ 150 (corresponding to the threshold value and considered as a seroresponse) at 28 days after vaccination;
- this percentage was maintained up to 6 months after vaccination (96.3 %).
Single dose vaccination
IXCHIQ vaccine is administered as a single dose of 0.5 mL, by intramuscular injection into the deltoid muscle.
The need for revaccination has not been established.
Prior reconstitution of the vaccine
The solution for injection must first be reconstituted by mixing the lyophilized powder in the vial and the solvent (water for injections) contained in the pre-filled syringe.
Needles are not provided. For reconstitution, it is recommended to use a 22-25 G needle with a length of at least 40 mm [1].
Before use, IXCHIQ should be stored in a refrigerator between 2 and 8°C.
After reconstitution, the solution for injection should be used within 2 hours.
Instructions to remember to limit viral transmission
Chikungunya is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes which tend to bite during the day. The highest incidence of this disease is observed in South America (cf. page 190 – Health recommendations for travelers 2024).
Protection against mosquito bites is recommended even in subjects vaccinated with IXCHIQ [2] :
- application of a skin repellent;
- wearing covering clothing (long sleeves and pants);
- use of mosquito nets.
IXCHIQ does not protect against other arboviruses transmitted by the Aedes mosquito (dengue fever, Zika).
Administrative identity
List I
Box containing 1 vial and 1 syringe of solvent, CIP 3400930296448
Non-refundable and not approved for communities as of October 28, 2024 (request under study)
Laboratoire Valneva
