The drug agency reported this Wednesday, July 2, that of the 18 cases of serious undesirable effects reported after the administration of the IXCHIQ vaccine against chikungunya, a link with the vaccine was established for half of them (Photo: RB/www.imazpress.com)
This survey managed by the Medicines Agency (ANSM) reports that “47 cases of undesirable effects have been declared and analyzed throughout French territory” between March 7 and June 2, 2025, including “18 serious cases”, which concerned elderly patients on average, according to the agency.
The analysis of the 18 cases of serious side effects, including 3 deaths, shows that the patients concerned are an average of 74 years.
“Pharmacological evaluation shows that there is a link between the vaccine and the serious undesirable effects for 9 of these patients,” said ANSM.
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– Three deaths of the elderly –
“Pharmacological evaluation shows that there is a link between the vaccine and the serious undesirable effects for nine of these patients,” said the ANSM.
77 % of cases come from the meeting and the main serious adverse effects observed are similar to the symptoms of a serious form of infection in the chikungunya virus, the press release said. Among the 18 serious cases, three deaths have been reported in people over 65 with other pathologies.
For one of the deaths, the link with the vaccine seems “very likely” while for the other two, the accountability of the vaccine has not been established “to date”. These undesirable effects are now the subject of complementary investigations at the national and European level.
Read also – Chikungunya: a single death probably linked to the vaccine in Reunion, according to the drug agency
– potential “misuses” –
The survey also highlights potential “misuses” of the vaccine. Certain reports of undesirable effects are following the administration of the IXCHIQ vaccine in possibly immunocompromised patients, while its administration is formally contraindicated in immunodeficiency.
Since April 26, French health authorities have recommended that they no longer vaccinate people aged 65 and over, with or not comorbidities. On the other hand, vaccination remains in order for people aged 18 to 64 with comorbidities.
Read also – Chikungunya: vaccination stop for people 65 and over after a death
Vaccination against chikungunya in Reunion has thus become almost nonexistent while more than 200,000 people have been affected by the disease since the beginning of 2025, according to local authorities.
Read also – Chikungunya: the big flop in the vaccine in Reunion, nearly 35,000 doses not used
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