This page is for anyone who has been turned down, put off or simply confused by the chikungunya vaccine news this year. We explain what the MHRA actually restricted, what that means for Vimkunya, the vaccine we give at Evans Pharmacy in Malvern and Claines Pharmacy in Worcester, and the small number of situations where we would still take a closer look before vaccinating.

What changed in February 2026

On 11 February 2026 the MHRA announced new restrictions on IXCHIQ, one of the two chikungunya vaccines licensed in the UK. The decision followed a global safety review in which 28 serious adverse reactions had been reported, three of them fatal. IXCHIQ is a live vaccine, and the review concluded that some groups of people were at higher risk of a serious reaction to it.

IXCHIQ must now not be given to anyone in the following groups:

Those are common conditions. A large share of the travellers we see, particularly people making long trips to visit family, fall into at least one of those groups. Earlier this year that left many of them being told there was simply no vaccine they could have.

Why Vimkunya is different

Vimkunya, made by Bavarian Nordic, is a virus-like particle vaccine. It is built from the outer proteins of the chikungunya virus, which train your immune system to recognise it, but it contains no live virus and cannot cause the infection. The risk that drove the IXCHIQ restrictions was tied to it being a live vaccine, and that mechanism simply does not exist in Vimkunya.

The JCVI reviewed Vimkunya at the same time, in March 2026, and did not consider it necessary to restrict it. We think it is fair to add the honest caveat the JCVI gave: Vimkunya has not yet been used as widely as older travel vaccines, so like every newer vaccine it remains under close monitoring by the MHRA. No safety signal has been seen.

Can I have it if I have diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease?

On current guidance, yes, these conditions do not rule out Vimkunya. The only situation in which the product information says it must not be given is an allergy to one of its ingredients or an allergic reaction to a previous dose.

That does not mean we skip the questions. At your consultation we go through your health, your medicines and your trip before anything is given, exactly as we would for any travel vaccine. For most people with well-managed long-term conditions, that conversation ends with the vaccine being an option, and a plan for the rest of the trip.

What if I am over 60?

Age on its own is not a barrier. Vimkunya is licensed from 12 years of age with no upper limit, and it was studied in a separate trial of adults aged 65 and over.

The response is a little lower in older adults, which is normal for most vaccines. In clinical trials, about 88% of people aged 65 to 74 and 85% of those aged 75 and over had an immune response three weeks after the single dose, compared with 97 to 98% of younger adults. The practical advice that follows is simple: if you are over 65, try to have the vaccine at least three weeks before you fly rather than two, and keep bite avoidance as your first line of defence.

Turned down earlier this year? It is worth asking again. Book your travel consultation in Malvern or book your travel consultation in Worcester.

When we would take a closer look

A few situations need an individual conversation rather than an automatic yes. None of them is necessarily a no, and all of them are handled at the same appointment.

We also postpone vaccination if you have a high fever or feel acutely unwell on the day, which is standard for any vaccine. A cold is not usually a reason to wait.

What about children?

Vimkunya is licensed from 12 years of age, so teenagers travelling with the family can be considered. There is currently no chikungunya vaccine licensed in the UK for children under 12, so for younger children protection comes from avoiding bites: a repellent suitable for their age, covering up during the day, and screened or air-conditioned rooms where possible.

Does being eligible mean I need it?

Not automatically. Being able to have the vaccine and needing it are two different questions. Current guidance points to three groups in particular: people travelling to an area with an active outbreak, long-term or frequent travellers to areas that have seen chikungunya in the past five years, and laboratory staff who work with the virus.

Somebody making a month-long visit to family in Sri Lanka or India every year sits squarely in that second group. Somebody spending a week in a resort with no current outbreak usually does not. We check the latest outbreak picture for your destination at your appointment, and the four-question checker in our chikungunya vaccine guide gives you a starting point before you book.

Frequently asked questions

I was refused a chikungunya vaccine in 2026. Should I ask again?

Yes. If you were turned down because of your age or a health condition under the IXCHIQ restrictions, Vimkunya may well be an option for you. We will go through your situation at consultation.

Is there an upper age limit for Vimkunya?

No. It is licensed from 12 years of age and was studied in adults aged 65 and over, including people over 75.

Can I have it with type 2 diabetes?

On current guidance, diabetes does not rule out Vimkunya, although it does rule out IXCHIQ. We review your health and medicines before giving any vaccine.

Can I have it with high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is one of the conditions that now excludes IXCHIQ, but it does not exclude Vimkunya on current guidance.

Do you still offer IXCHIQ?

No. We only offer Vimkunya.

What does it cost?

£180 for the single-dose course, in line with our price list. We will tell you at your consultation whether it is an option for you before you pay.

How far ahead should I book?

At least two weeks before you fly, or three weeks if you are aged 65 or over. If you are closer to departure, call us anyway.

Where can I read more about the vaccine?

Our guide to the chikungunya vaccine covers the disease, where the risk is and how the vaccine works, and our chikungunya vaccination page has the service details for both clinics.