FDA Removes Recommended Pause in Use and Approves Required Updated Labeling
AUDIENCE: Patient, Health Care Professional, Pharmacy, Cardiology, Neurology, Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Travel Clinics
ISSUE: On May 9, 2025, FDA issued a safety communication informing the public that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) jointly recommended a pause in the use of Ixchiq (Chikungunya Vaccine, Live) in individuals 60 years of age and older while the Agencies undertook an investigation of postmarketing reports of serious adverse events, including neurologic and cardiac events, in individuals who have received the vaccine.
At the time of the May 9, 2025, recommended pause, FDA conveyed its intention to conduct an updated benefit-risk assessment for the use of Ixchiq in individuals 60 years of age and older. FDA has completed an updated benefit-risk assessment of Ixchiq, including for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. Based on the available data, and its benefit-risk assessment, FDA has removed the recommended pause in the use of Ixchiq in individuals 60 years of age and older and has approved updates to the Prescribing Information and Patient Information that it required of the company, Valneva Austria GmbH.
BACKGROUND: Ixchiq contains a live, weakened version of the chikungunya virus and may cause symptoms similar to those of chikungunya disease. Some of the postmarketing reports include adverse events that are consistent with severe complications of chikungunya disease, resulting in hospitalization; one person died from encephalitis.
Continuous monitoring and assessment of the safety of all vaccines remains an FDA priority. Suspected adverse events may be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), which is co-managed by FDA and CDC.
[FDA Safety Communication- 08/06/2025]
