Ixchiq vaccine withdrawn in the UK after MHRA safety review
The MHRA withdrew the UK licence for Ixchiq, Valneva's chikungunya vaccine, on 20 October 2026. What changed, why, and how the EU and US positions differ.
Ixchiq vaccine withdrawn in the UK
On 20 October 2026, after a safety review, the MHRA withdrew the UK marketing authorisation for Valneva's Ixchiq vaccine because its benefit-risk balance is "no longer considered favourable" (MHRA Drug Safety Update). The live attenuated chikungunya vaccine is being removed from the UK market.
Why the MHRA withdrew Ixchiq
Since authorisation, serious adverse reactions have been reported. They include chikungunya-like symptoms and rare neurological events such as encephalitis. Most were in older adults and people with underlying conditions, but some were in people with no known health conditions. The MHRA says "some cases resulted in hospitalisation or death." The update does not give a UK case or death count.
After reviewing post-authorisation safety data, and consulting the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), the MHRA concluded that "the benefits of receiving this vaccine for UK travellers no longer outweigh the risks" (DSU).
What healthcare professionals should do
The Drug Safety Update (PDF version) tells healthcare professionals:
- do not prescribe, supply or administer Ixchiq, and dispose of remaining stock under local policy
- remove Ixchiq from any materials, systems or communications that list UK vaccination options
- advise travellers on alternatives: other available chikungunya vaccines, avoiding mosquito bites and current travel health advice
- keep reporting suspected adverse reactions on a Yellow Card
People already vaccinated don't need another dose or specific treatment because of this decision. The MHRA says there is no risk to people who were vaccinated and had no side effects. Anyone with a suspected side effect should seek medical advice and report it on a Yellow Card.
The UK timeline
The MHRA approved Ixchiq on 4 February 2025 as a single dose for adults aged 18 and over. On 9 June 2025 the CHM temporarily restricted use in people aged 65 and over. That step used global data: 23 serious reactions, 2 fatal, in people aged 62 to 89. The vaccine was not yet available in the UK then.
On 11 February 2026 the MHRA limited use to adults aged 18 to 59. It should not be used at any age in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or chronic kidney disease, nor in immunodeficient or immunosuppressed people (including IgA deficiency) or anyone with a thymus disorder or thymectomy. Global data then showed 28 serious reactions, 3 fatal. Withdrawal followed in October.
Chikungunya vaccine in the UK now
Vimkunya, from Bavarian Nordic, was approved by the MHRA on 1 May 2025 for people aged 12 and over. UKHSA now says it is the one chikungunya vaccine approved for use in the UK (UKHSA blog, updated October 2026).
The JCVI advice for UK travellers, last updated 17 March 2026, still lists Ixchiq for ages 18 to 59. For the current UK position, follow the MHRA withdrawal notice, not the older JCVI advice.
Ixchiq in the EU: still authorised, restricted
The EU has not withdrawn Ixchiq. The EMA product page (updated 24 August 2026) lists it as authorised and under additional monitoring. Its indication is people aged 12 and older at high risk of chikungunya infection. That limit followed a CHMP recommendation in June 2026.
Before that, an Article 20 EMA referral started in May 2025 and temporarily restricted use in people aged 65 and over. The Commission's decision of 12 September 2025 lifted that age restriction. For all ages, use was then limited to people at significant risk of infection, after a careful benefit-risk check. The review covered 28 serious cases, mainly in people aged 65 or older or with several chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Three of those cases were fatal. About 36,000 doses had been used worldwide when the review began.
Ixchiq in the US: licence suspended
The FDA approved Ixchiq in November 2023. On 22 August 2025 it suspended the biologics licence, citing 21 hospitalisations, 3 deaths and unconfirmed clinical benefit. By January 2026 the FDA listed the vaccine as permanently discontinued, after Valneva stopped manufacture and asked for voluntary revocation. The CDC Yellow Book names Vimkunya as the only licensed US chikungunya vaccine.
| Ixchiq status | |
|---|---|
| UK | Marketing authorisation withdrawn, 20 Oct 2026 |
| EU | Authorised, ages 12+ at high risk only |
| US | Licence suspended Aug 2025, discontinued Jan 2026 |
You can ask RegAffairs AI the same question and see its cited answer on Ixchiq's UK, EU and US status.