Elected Officials Demand Health Transparency
- SAINT-DENIS,Reunion Island (AP) — Health authorities on Reunion Island have halted chikungunya vaccinations for residents 65 and older following a reported death and three other serious adverse events.
- Audrey Bélim is calling for a parliamentary commission of inquiry to investigate the matter.
- Bélim questioned the HAS's initial recommendation from March 5, which prioritized vaccinating those 65 and older, especially those with comorbidities, followed by adults 18 and over with comorbidities,...
Reunion Island Suspends Chikungunya Vaccinations for Elderly After death
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SAINT-DENIS,Reunion Island (AP) — Health authorities on Reunion Island have halted chikungunya vaccinations for residents 65 and older following a reported death and three other serious adverse events. The High Authority for Health (HAS) issued the advice Saturday, prompting calls for transparency from local officials.
Senator Demands Inquiry into Vaccination Error
sen. Audrey Bélim is calling for a parliamentary commission of inquiry to investigate the matter. “I first present my condolences to the family of the victim,” Bélim said in a press release. “Their pain is ours and that of all of Reunion.”
Bélim questioned the HAS’s initial recommendation from March 5, which prioritized vaccinating those 65 and older, especially those with comorbidities, followed by adults 18 and over with comorbidities, and anti-vector control agents.
“How were these extremely serious adverse effects not perceived by the High Authority for Health for those over 65?” Bélim asked. “What are these consequences? What should be done now? Reunionese people over 65 already vaccinated undoubtedly have these questions, and the health authorities must answer them.”
She also raised concerns about the safety of the vaccine for other recommended groups, urging health authorities to release information as quickly as possible. Bélim stated the commission should investigate “the reasons for the serious error on the vaccination of over 65” and “shed light on the suite of failures of the Regional Health Agency (ARS).” She criticized the ARS for claiming the epidemic was under control.
Bélim also cited a “lack of reaction of the health authorities, the decreases of subsidized contracts, the lack of information of the population” as failures in addressing the epidemic, which previously affected Reunion in 2005 and 2006. She added that authorities have “not been up to par” in the face of recent deaths.
Other Officials Seek Clarity
Frédéric Maillot, a member of parliament, has sent a letter to the Minister of Health requesting “transparency” following information released by the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM).
Maillot emphasized the need for an “emergency point” regarding the chikungunya vaccine. He stated that the state should “strengthen the means of struggle and help all Reunion homes” in the face of growing distrust. He is also seeking clarification on the reasons for changing the vaccination target.
Maillot also called for an urgent re-evaluation of PEC LAV contracts and increased funding for local authorities to enhance local anti-vector control efforts.
Chikungunya Outbreak in Reunion
According to Gérard Coollon,director of the Regional Health Agency,more than 100,000 people on Reunion Island have been affected by the chikungunya virus.
The prefecture confirmed the deaths of two people from chikungunya on March 21; they were 86 and 96 years old,and one had comorbidities. Public Health France (SPF) announced four new chikungunya-related deaths on April 16,all of whom had comorbidities.
Between April 7 and April 13, three additional deaths linked to chikungunya were confirmed in people over 70 with comorbidities.
Authorities have confirmed 4,304 new cases in week 15 alone. As the beginning of 2025, more than 39,000 confirmed cases of chikungunya have been reported on Reunion Island.
Chikungunya Vaccine Suspension in Reunion island: Your Questions Answered
The recent suspension of chikungunya vaccinations for the elderly on Reunion island has raised meaningful concerns and questions.This article provides a detailed Q&A to help you understand the situation, the reasons behind the suspension, and the broader context of the chikungunya outbreak.
WhatS happening with Chikungunya Vaccinations in Reunion Island?
Q: Why have chikungunya vaccinations for the elderly (65+) been suspended in Reunion Island?
A: Health authorities in Reunion Island have halted chikungunya vaccinations for residents aged 65 and older. This decision followed a reported death and three other serious adverse events related to the vaccine. The High Authority for Health (HAS) issued this advice, sparking calls for transparency and investigation.
Q: What prompted the initial vaccination recommendations?
A: The HAS initially recommended prioritizing vaccinations for those 65 and older,especially those with comorbidities. the order then extended to include adults 18 and over with comorbidities, followed by anti-vector control agents, showing the early vaccination strategy.
Understanding the Adverse Events and Concerns
Q: What adverse events prompted the suspension?
A: The specific details of the adverse events have not been fully released to the public. The initial report mentions a death and three other serious incidents following vaccination. The nature of these serious events is yet to be fully clarified.
Q: What role do comorbidities play in this situation?
A: Comorbidities (i.e., the presence of multiple health conditions in one individual) appear to be a significant factor. Several reports indicate that those who experienced severe adverse events and/or died had pre-existing health conditions. These underlying illnesses may play a factor in how their bodies reacted to the vaccine.
Q: What are the concerns raised by officials and the public?
A: Concerns include:
- The safety of the vaccine, notably for those in high-risk groups.
- Lack of transparency from health authorities regarding the adverse events.
- The ongoing chikungunya outbreak and the effectiveness of control measures.
- The need for further data on the vaccine’s safety for other recommended groups.
The Chikungunya Outbreak: A Deeper dive
Q: how widespread is the chikungunya outbreak currently?
A: The outbreak is significant in Reunion Island. More than 100,000 people have reportedly been affected by the chikungunya virus. The prefecture confirmed the deaths of two people from chikungunya on March 21; they were 86 and 96 years old,and had comorbidities. Public Health france (SPF) announced four new chikungunya-related deaths on April 16,all of whom had comorbidities. Between April 7 and April 13, three additional deaths linked to chikungunya were confirmed in people over 70 with comorbidities. Authorities have confirmed 4,304 new cases in week 15 alone. As the beginning of 2025, more than 39,000 confirmed cases of chikungunya have been reported on reunion island.
Q: What are the key figures regarding the outbreak?
A: Here’s a summary of confirmed cases and deaths:
| Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Confirmed Cases (Early 2025) | Over 39,000 |
| Deaths (As of April 16th Reporting) | Confirmed 6 deaths (March 21st) & 4 new deaths (April 16th) |
| New Cases (Week 15) | 4,304 |
Official Reactions and Demands
Q: What are officials demanding in response to the vaccine suspension?
A: Several officials are calling for:
- Transparency: Officials like Frédéric Maillot are urging the Minister of Health to release more information from the National Medicines safety Agency (ANSM).
- Inquiry: senator Audrey Bélim is demanding a parliamentary commission of inquiry to investigate the reasons for the apparent errors in the vaccination program and the ARS’s handling of the epidemic.
- Emergency Measures: Maillot is calling for an “emergency point” regarding the vaccine, urging the state to strengthen efforts to help Reunion Island residents.
- Re-evaluation: Officials are requesting a re-evaluation of existing contracts and increased funding for local authorities to enhance anti-vector control efforts.
Q: what role is the Regional Health Agency (ARS) playing, and what criticism are they facing?
A: The ARS is the main health agency responsible in Reunion Island. Criticism of the ARS includes:
- Lack of reaction from authorities regarding the outbreak.
- A “lack of information of the population”
- Failures of the Regional Health Agency (ARS)
- Decreases of subsidized contracts for anti-vector efforts.
What Happens Next?
Q: What are the next steps regarding the vaccine and the outbreak?
A: The situation is rapidly evolving.Key actions to watch for include:
- Further Investigations: The results of the investigation, and also investigations into the serious adverse reactions.
- Additional information: The release of more details regarding the adverse events from the ANSM and other authorities.
- Revised Vaccination Strategy: Potential modifications to the vaccination strategy based on new findings and expert recommendations.
- increased Public Health Efforts: Reinforcement of anti-vector control measures and public health campaigns.
Q: How can residents of Reunion Island stay informed?
A: Residents should monitor official announcements from the Regional Health Agency (ARS), the prefecture, Public Health France (SPF), and the government.Local news outlets and health official’s press releases will be the source of the most current and accurate information.