Key Points
A single-dose vaccine for chikungunya was found safe and produced a strong immune response against the viral disease, according to the first phase 3 trial of the preventive published in The Lancet journal..
However, the researchers were unable to investigate whether the VLA1553 vaccine, developed by French biotech company Valneva, protects against the subsequent disease since the study was not conducted in regions where chikungunya is endemic...
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which is endemic in some regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas...
This could be the first chikungunya vaccine available for people living in endemic regions, as well as for travelers to endemic areas or areas at risk for an upcoming outbreak, said study lead author, Martina Schneider, Clinical Strategy Manager at Valneva...
Further studies of VLA1553 in endemic regions and expanded populations, such as an ongoing trial in adolescents in Brazil will be critical to affirming VLA1553s value for CHIKV prevention, as will be real-world effectiveness studies in the context of actual CHIKV outbreaks, Stephenson added..
You might be interested in
The first chikungunya vaccine could be a game changer in global health
17, Nov, 23The FDA's approval of a chikungunya vaccine brings hope to regions facing the highest risk of the mosquito-borne virus that has affected over 110 countries.