Vaccination Halts for Senior Citizens Amidst Chikungunya Epidemic Surge
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Chikungunya Vaccination Campaign Hits a Roadblock
The ongoing chikungunya outbreak on Réunion Island seems set to worsen, with experts predicting a peak in the near future. However, a recent hiccup in the vaccine campaign has left the proceedings in a bit of a pickle.
Health authorities reported three severe adverse events (SAEs) — including one fatal case and two hospitalizations — in individuals over 80 years old, a few days post-vaccination. As a result, the High Health Authority (HAS) reconsidered its stance and decided to restrict the vaccination drive, exclusively targeting adults under 65 with existing health conditions.
These worrisome developments may reinforce the widespread vaccine skepticism previously fueled by the Covid-19 pandemic, potentially slowing down an already sluggish campaign. Given that the transmission rate of chikungunya remains high, according to the Santé publique France bulletin published on April 30, this is a significant setback.
The unfortunate incidents involved individuals receiving the IXCHIQ® vaccine by Valneva - available for individuals aged 18 to 64 years old for the time being, while its use for those aged 65 and above has been temporarily suspended to facilitate further investigation.
The vaccine-related drama may fuel the lingering doubts about vaccines among a segment of the population, who may view this episode as evidence of their concerns. This could potentially derail efforts to control the chikungunya outbreak, as the epidemic remains at a critical transmission level.
- Despite experts predicting a peak in the near future, the ongoing chikungunya outbreak on Réunion Island faces challenges as a vaccine campaign has hit a roadblock due to severe adverse events.
- The High Health Authority (HAS) has now decided to restrict the vaccination drive, focusing solely on adults under 65 with existing health conditions, such as chronic diseases and mental health issues.
- This development may exacerbate vaccine skepticism, as the Covid-19 pandemic has already fueled doubts, potentially slowing down the chikungunya vaccination campaign.
- The transmission rate of chikungunya remains high, as reported by Santé publique France, making this setback significant in the effort to control the outbreak.
- The unfortunate incidents involved the use of the IXCHIQ® vaccine by Valneva, which was available for individuals aged 18 to 64 years old, but its use for those aged 65 and above has been temporarily suspended for further investigation.
