Vaccinations for specific travelers are suggested by Stiko for the first time.
## Current Guidelines for Chikungunya Travel Vaccinations
In light of the recent outbreaks of Chikungunya, a mosquito-transmitted viral infection prevalent in over 100 regions across the Americas, Africa, and Southeast Asia, updated guidelines for travel vaccinations have been released.
### Available Vaccines Two vaccines are currently available to protect against Chikungunya:
1. **Live-attenuated chikungunya vaccine (IXCHIQ by Valneva):** This vaccine is recommended for individuals aged 18 years and older, and is administered via a single intramuscular dose of 0.5 mL.
2. **Virus-like particle chikungunya vaccine (VIMKUNYA by Bavarian Nordic):** This vaccine is suitable for individuals aged 12 years and older, and is given in a single intramuscular dose of 0.8 mL.
### Travel Recommendations
#### High-Risk Areas Vaccination is recommended for travelers going to areas with active Chikungunya outbreaks. These areas include, but are not limited to, regions in Baden-Württemberg, Rhine-Main region of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, locally in Bavaria, Thuringia, Berlin, and North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as various regions in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
#### Elevated Risk Areas Vaccination may be considered for travelers planning extended stays (6 months or more) in regions without active outbreaks but with an elevated risk.
### Age Considerations In the U.S., the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has designated age ≥65 years as a precaution for vaccination, primarily due to safety concerns. However, in France and the UK, the use of the IXCHIQ vaccine is temporarily suspended for individuals aged 65 years and older following reports of serious adverse events in this age group.
### General Advice Travelers are advised to consult health professionals to determine the need for vaccination based on specific travel plans and health status. Vaccination campaigns can significantly reduce the burden of the disease, especially in heavily endemic areas.
Chikungunya causes high fever and severe joint pain, which can persist for weeks to months in many affected people. Although severe courses are rare, they occur particularly in older or severely ill individuals. So far, cases have only been detected in Germany in returning travelers. It is essential to take the necessary precautions to protect oneself from this mosquito-borne disease, especially when traveling to endemic areas.
[1] Stiko (Standing Committee on Vaccination) recommendations (Germany) [2] World Health Organization (WHO) [3] French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) [4] Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) UK
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