France pauses chikungunya vaccinations in the elderly after patient death

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France Suspends Chikungunya Vaccine for Seniors After Adverse Events and Death

French health authorities have temporarily suspended the use of Valneva’s chikungunya vaccine (Ixchiq) in adults aged 65 years and older after three serious adverse events—including one death—were reported among elderly recipients with preexisting health conditions during a vaccination campaign in La Reunion and Mayotte1 3 4.
The suspension was enacted by the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) on April 25, 2025, as a precaution while investigations are underway to determine whether the vaccine was responsible for these events2 4 5.
All three hospitalized individuals were over 80 years old and had comorbidities; causality between the vaccine and adverse outcomes has not been definitively established1 4.
The suspension applies only to those aged 65 and older; vaccination with Ixchiq continues for adults aged 18 to 64 living in outbreak zones1 3.
The decision follows a major chikungunya outbreak in La Reunion, with about 40,000 cases reported since the start of 2025, prompting emergency vaccination efforts3 4.
The case is also under review by US authorities, as similar safety signals have emerged there, and the CDC advises travelers to discuss individual risks and benefits of the vaccine with healthcare providers3.
Valneva is cooperating with regulators to clarify the safety profile and determine next steps for older adults1 3 4.