HAS Recommends Chikungunya Vaccines for High-Risk Groups in French Guiana
- The Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) has issued new vaccination recommendations for French Guiana to combat the resurgence of the chikungunya virus.
- These guidelines come as health authorities manage the circulation of the virus in the region.
- The vaccination strategy in French Guiana involves two distinct vaccines: Vimkunya, and Ixchiq.
The Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) has issued new vaccination recommendations for French Guiana to combat the resurgence of the chikungunya virus. The health authority specifically recommends the use of the Vimkunya vaccine for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as for those between 12 and 64 years of age who have comorbidities.
These guidelines come as health authorities manage the circulation of the virus in the region. The strategy involves the targeted use of available vaccines to protect the most vulnerable populations from the debilitating effects of the disease.
Vaccine Options and Strategic Implementation
The vaccination strategy in French Guiana involves two distinct vaccines: Vimkunya, and Ixchiq. The HAS has provided specific guidance on the placement of these two options within the regional public health response.
Vimkunya is a virus-like particle vaccine manufactured by Bavarian Nordic. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed this vaccine in February 2025, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved recommendations for its use in April 2025. This proves licensed for individuals aged 12 years and older.
Parallel to the use of Vimkunya, the EU-authorised live attenuated virus vaccine Ixchiq has also been deployed. Since January 2025, a large chikungunya outbreak in French overseas territories led to a vaccination campaign using Ixchiq. Initially, this campaign targeted individuals over 65 with comorbidities at risk of severe disease, but it was later expanded to include all individuals aged 18 and older.
Understanding the Chikungunya Threat
Chikungunya is a viral disease caused by an RNA virus in the Alphavirus genus. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, specifically Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti.
The virus is thought to primarily infect the joints, muscles, tissues containing white blood cells, and occasionally the central nervous system. While the disease is rarely fatal, it is characterized by significant pain and debilitating symptoms that can severely impact a patient’s quality of life.
Current medical treatments for chikungunya are solely symptomatic, meaning they manage the symptoms rather than curing the viral infection itself. This makes vaccination and vector control the primary tools for preventing severe outbreaks.
Global and Regional Context
The resurgence in French Guiana is part of a broader pattern of chikungunya activity. In mainland France, 484 cases of local transmission were reported between January and September 17, 2025, marking the first year of an explosion in locally acquired cases.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has also noted increasing cases of chikungunya in several countries across the Americas, leading to recommendations for increased preparedness in the region.
In the United States, the CDC notes that while the risk for most travelers is low, vaccination with Vimkunya is recommended for those aged 12 and older traveling to countries where an outbreak is occurring. It may also be considered for those moving to high-risk areas for extended periods of six months or more, as well as for laboratory workers with potential exposure to the virus.
Summary of Vaccine Recommendations
- Vimkunya: Recommended by HAS in French Guiana for adults 65+ and those 12-64 with comorbidities.
- Ixchiq: Used in French overseas territories for those 18 and older, with an initial focus on high-risk elderly populations.
- General Prevention: Reliance on vector control and personal protection remains critical.