Breaking: The CDC is investigating this vaccine—are you at risk after recent hospitalizations?
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has started investigating a series of hospitalizations linked to a vaccine, raising concerns about the safety of this newly approved immunization.
The affected individuals, all aged 65 or older, experienced cardiac and neurological issues after receiving the IXCHIQ vaccine, the only vaccine of its kind currently approved for use in the United States.
Here at The GrayVine, we understand how important it is to stay informed about our health, especially as we age.
This developing story could affect many of us, and we want to ensure you have all the information to make the best decisions for your health and travel plans.
What is Chikungunya and How Does its Vaccine Work?
Chikungunya is a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. It causes symptoms like fever, joint pain, headaches, muscle aches, and rashes.
While it’s mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions, it’s been reported in over 100 countries around the world.
Currently, there’s no specific treatment for the virus, so the best defense is to avoid mosquito bites.
In November 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the IXCHIQ vaccine for people at higher risk of chikungunya exposure, such as travelers visiting areas where the virus is common or laboratory workers who handle the virus.
Also read: Exploring the impact of vaccines: examining RFK Jr.'s vaccine claims
What We Know About the CDC’s Investigation
The CDC launched its investigation after five older adults were hospitalized with serious health complications following vaccination.
While the CDC hasn't released many details yet, it's worth noting that four of the patients had received other vaccines and most had existing health conditions.
Valneva, the company behind the IXCHIQ vaccine, has stated that their safety monitoring hasn't raised any major concerns and that the vaccine's safety profile is consistent with what was observed in clinical trials.
However, the vaccine's guidelines do warn that it may cause adverse reactions that resemble chikungunya symptoms.
"This topic will be addressed at an upcoming meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Healthcare providers are encouraged to discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination with individual travelers, considering factors such as age, destination, trip length, and planned activities," the CDC’s online notice stated.
In the meantime, healthcare providers are being advised to carefully consider the benefits and risks of this vaccine with their patients, especially based on individual health conditions and travel plans.
Dr. William Schaffner, an expert in infectious diseases, reassured the public that the CDC’s vaccine monitoring system is working as it should.
He urged caution and emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing to determine if there’s any connection between the vaccine and the hospitalizations.
Also read: Are you over 50? The CDC urges you to get this essential vaccine for your health!
What Should You Do?
If you're thinking about getting the chikungunya vaccine for an upcoming trip or because you're at risk due to your job, it’s important to have a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Talk about your health history, any existing medical conditions, and what activities you plan to do while traveling, so you can make an informed decision.
In the meantime, the CDC encourages healthcare providers to report any adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), which helps ensure vaccine safety by tracking rare side effects.
Here at The GrayVine, we’re committed to providing you with the latest health news to help you make informed choices.
We encourage you to stay up-to-date on this investigation and to take the necessary steps to keep yourself safe, whether you’re traveling or staying close to home.
Read next: Losing your voice? Here's the reason behind it and how to recover quickly, according to doctors
Have you or anyone you know received the chikungunya vaccine? Are you planning to visit an area where the virus is prevalent? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Sharing your story might help others in our community navigate their health decisions with confidence.
The affected individuals, all aged 65 or older, experienced cardiac and neurological issues after receiving the IXCHIQ vaccine, the only vaccine of its kind currently approved for use in the United States.
Here at The GrayVine, we understand how important it is to stay informed about our health, especially as we age.
This developing story could affect many of us, and we want to ensure you have all the information to make the best decisions for your health and travel plans.
CDC investigates recent hospitalizations—healthcare providers emphasize the importance of assessing risks before vaccination. Image Source: YouTube / FOX 2 St. Louis.
What is Chikungunya and How Does its Vaccine Work?
Chikungunya is a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. It causes symptoms like fever, joint pain, headaches, muscle aches, and rashes.
While it’s mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions, it’s been reported in over 100 countries around the world.
Currently, there’s no specific treatment for the virus, so the best defense is to avoid mosquito bites.
In November 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the IXCHIQ vaccine for people at higher risk of chikungunya exposure, such as travelers visiting areas where the virus is common or laboratory workers who handle the virus.
Also read: Exploring the impact of vaccines: examining RFK Jr.'s vaccine claims
What We Know About the CDC’s Investigation
The CDC launched its investigation after five older adults were hospitalized with serious health complications following vaccination.
While the CDC hasn't released many details yet, it's worth noting that four of the patients had received other vaccines and most had existing health conditions.
Valneva, the company behind the IXCHIQ vaccine, has stated that their safety monitoring hasn't raised any major concerns and that the vaccine's safety profile is consistent with what was observed in clinical trials.
However, the vaccine's guidelines do warn that it may cause adverse reactions that resemble chikungunya symptoms.
"This topic will be addressed at an upcoming meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Healthcare providers are encouraged to discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination with individual travelers, considering factors such as age, destination, trip length, and planned activities," the CDC’s online notice stated.
In the meantime, healthcare providers are being advised to carefully consider the benefits and risks of this vaccine with their patients, especially based on individual health conditions and travel plans.
Dr. William Schaffner, an expert in infectious diseases, reassured the public that the CDC’s vaccine monitoring system is working as it should.
He urged caution and emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing to determine if there’s any connection between the vaccine and the hospitalizations.
Also read: Are you over 50? The CDC urges you to get this essential vaccine for your health!
What Should You Do?
If you're thinking about getting the chikungunya vaccine for an upcoming trip or because you're at risk due to your job, it’s important to have a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Talk about your health history, any existing medical conditions, and what activities you plan to do while traveling, so you can make an informed decision.
In the meantime, the CDC encourages healthcare providers to report any adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), which helps ensure vaccine safety by tracking rare side effects.
Here at The GrayVine, we’re committed to providing you with the latest health news to help you make informed choices.
We encourage you to stay up-to-date on this investigation and to take the necessary steps to keep yourself safe, whether you’re traveling or staying close to home.
Read next: Losing your voice? Here's the reason behind it and how to recover quickly, according to doctors
Have you or anyone you know received the chikungunya vaccine? Are you planning to visit an area where the virus is prevalent? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Sharing your story might help others in our community navigate their health decisions with confidence.
