New Chikungunya vaccination
now available
The first chikungunya vaccine Ixchiq
has been available for you in our practice since April 2025.
We will also be happy to advise you on vaccination against
Chikungunya in our practice as part of your travel preparations.
In our practice in Munich, we usually have all travel medicine vaccines in stock.
Chikungunya –
Disease and vaccination
Chikungunya fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that begins suddenly with a high fever and severe joint pain. The disease is mainly spread by Aedes mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions. Chikungunya repeatedly leads to major outbreaks, particularly in tropical regions, as is currently the case in LA Reunion with more than 10,000 cases. In recent years, however, the risk of infection with chikungunya has also increased significantly in the Mediterranean region.
In addition to fever and joint pain, there is often a skin rash, headache and fatigue. The acute phase lasts about a week, but joint pain can last for months. There is no specific treatment, only symptomatic relief with painkillers and hydration. The disease usually heals without consequences, but can be severe, especially for older people or those with a history of the disease. Two vaccines against chikungunya have now been approved in Germany.
The vaccination is therefore another building block for safe travel in risk areas for travelers.
We will gladly advise you
In our practice for rice medicine, we are happy to advise you on vaccination against chikungunya.
CDC - Chikungunya World Map 2019
Chikungunya fever
The disease
Here you will find common questions and answers about the disease.
Two vaccines against the chikungunya virus are currently licensed in Germany:
- Ixchiq®: This live attenuated vaccine from Valneva was approved by the European Commission on June 28, 2024 for people aged 18 and over. It has been available in Germany since March 2025.
- Vimkunya®: This adjuvanted virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine from Bavarian Nordic was approved by the European Commission in February 2025 for people aged 12 and over.
Both vaccines are administered as a single dose and leave high antibody titres in approx. 98% of vaccinated persons, which are somewhat lower in vaccinated persons over 65 years of age.
There is currently no recommendation for a booster after vaccination against chikungunya. With the live vaccine, high antibody titres were still detectable in 97% of those vaccinated after 12 months.
Please contact your health insurance company directly.
- Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito)
- Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito)
These mosquitoes transmit the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) if they have previously bitten an infected person. Direct transmission from person to person is not possible. Aedes albopictus is now widespread in Europe, including parts of Germany.
1. acute phase (up to 2 weeks)
- Sudden onset of high fever
- Severe joint and muscle pain
- Skin rash
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Occasionally nausea and vomiting
2. chronic phase (weeks to months, rarely years) in up to 60% of cases
- Joint complaints/arthritis
- Chronic fatigue/weakness
- Depression
- Hair loss
Nevertheless, the disease usually heals without any consequences. However, chronic symptoms can persist for more than >1 year and severely impair physical and mental quality of life
Chikungunya fever occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. The main risk areas include:
- Africa: especially eastern and southern Africa
- Asia: including the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia
- America: also in Central and South America since the end of 2013
- Islands in the Indian Ocean: such as the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, the Seychelles and La Réunion Locally acquired infections and outbreaks have also been described in Europe, particularly in southern Europe. In Germany, the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), a potential vector of the chikungunya virus, is increasingly spreading. It has been detected in Dresden, for example.
The risk of contracting chikungunya fever is particularly high in regions where mosquito vectors are widespread. Travelers to these areas should therefore ensure they use effective mosquito repellent.
CDC – Chikungunya World Map 2019
The disease was first described in Tanzania and Mozambique in the 1950s and the term chikungunya comes from the language of the Makonde people living in the region. It means“the one who walks bent over” or“to bend over“, which refers to the severe joint pain that is typical of the disease.