The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has introduced additional restrictions on the use of the Chikungunya vaccine, IXCHIQ, limiting its eligibility following a safety review.
In updated guidance published on 11 February 2026, the regulator said the vaccine should now only be administered to adults aged 18 to 59 years. It should not be used in individuals aged 60 or above, or in people of any age with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.
The vaccine is also contraindicated in individuals who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed, including those with IgA deficiency, as well as people with a history of thymus disorder or thymectomy.
The changes follow recommendations from the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), the government’s independent expert advisory body, after reviewing global safety data. According to the MHRA, 28 cases of serious adverse reactions have been reported worldwide in association with the vaccine, including three fatalities.
Despite the restrictions, the CHM concluded that the benefits of vaccination remain favourable for adults aged 18–59 who are at risk of chikungunya infection and do not have the specified underlying health conditions. The MHRA said trained healthcare professionals must carry out a comprehensive benefit–risk assessment before offering the vaccine, with particular caution advised for individuals with two or more chronic conditions.
As a precautionary measure, the regulator advised that the vaccine should be administered at least 30 days prior to travel. This is intended to ensure that any serious adverse reactions occur while the individual is still in the UK, where access to healthcare and communication support is available.
Chikungunya virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes and is present in subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, Southeast Asia, India and the Pacific.
The virus does not spread through casual person-to-person contact. Most infected individuals develop sudden fever and severe joint pain, along with possible symptoms such as headache, muscle pain, joint swelling and rash. Symptoms generally resolve within seven to ten days, and most patients recover fully.
