We see a lot of South Asia travellers at Evans Pharmacy in Malvern and Claines Pharmacy in Worcester, many of them making the same trip every year or two. This page sets out what the latest UK figures show, who current guidance says should consider the chikungunya vaccine, and how we help you decide at your appointment.

What the UK figures show

Chikungunya cases in UK travellers are recorded by the UK Health Security Agency, and the last two years tell a clear story. Cases rose by around half between 2023 and 2024, then by another 43% in 2025. The source countries shift as outbreaks move, but South Asia has been at the centre of both years.

The lesson from those shifting numbers is that the risk follows outbreaks, not borders. A country can be quiet one year and busy the next, which is why we check the current position for your exact destination at your appointment rather than relying on last year’s map.

Why visiting family changes the picture

Current guidance says chikungunya vaccination should be considered for three groups: people travelling to an area with an active outbreak, long-term or frequent travellers to areas that have had chikungunya in the past five years, and laboratory staff who work with the virus.

Trips to see family in South Asia often tick the second box twice over. They tend to be longer than a holiday, they are repeated every year or two, and they are spent in homes and neighbourhoods rather than air-conditioned hotels. The mosquitoes that spread chikungunya live and breed right alongside people, in small pools of standing water in pots, buckets and tyres, and they bite during the day.

There is also a familiarity effect. A place you have visited all your life does not feel like a travel health risk, so it is easy to skip the pre-travel appointment that a first-time visitor would book without thinking. Chikungunya does not make that distinction.

Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh

Each of the main South Asia destinations has featured in the UK figures in the last two years. Sri Lanka’s 2025 outbreak made it the leading source of UK cases by a wide margin. India topped the list in 2024 and remained in the top three in 2025. Bangladesh appeared in the 2025 top three, and Pakistan was the second most common source in 2024.

We do not try to rank these countries for you from a desk, because the position changes with every outbreak season. What we do at your appointment is look at where exactly you are going, for how long, and what is being reported there now, and then give you a straight recommendation.

Heading to South Asia this year? Bring your dates and destinations and we will give you a clear answer. Book your travel consultation in Malvern or book your travel consultation in Worcester.

The vaccine we use

We use Vimkunya, a non-live vaccine given as a single injection. It is licensed from 12 years of age with no upper age limit, which matters for family trips where teenagers and grandparents travel together. It was not affected by the February 2026 restrictions on the other UK chikungunya vaccine, IXCHIQ, which now rule that vaccine out for anyone aged 60 or over or with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Our chikungunya vaccine guide explains that change in full.

In clinical trials, around 97% of people aged 12 to 64 had an immune response three weeks after vaccination, and most had responded within two. The response is a little lower in people aged 65 and over, at around 85 to 88%. The practical rule is to have it at least two weeks before you fly, or three if you are over 65. It costs £180 for the single-dose course.

Bite avoidance comes first, vaccine or not

The same daytime-biting mosquitoes spread dengue and Zika, and no vaccine on this page protects against those. So whatever you decide about chikungunya vaccination, the everyday habits are worth building into the trip: an effective repellent applied through the day and reapplied, long sleeves and trousers in the early morning and late afternoon, and screened or air-conditioned rooms where you can get them. Tipping out standing water around the house where you are staying reduces the number of mosquitoes breeding close by.

Chikungunya is rarely the only thing a South Asia trip calls for. Most itineraries also raise questions about food and water borne infections such as hepatitis A and typhoid, and some routes need malaria tablets. We plan the whole list at one appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the chikungunya vaccine for India?

It depends on the shape of your trip. Guidance points to long or repeated stays and travel to active outbreaks. India led UK cases in 2024 and was second in 2025, so it is a real question for many travellers, and we answer it at your consultation.

Do I need it for Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka was the leading source of UK chikungunya cases in 2025 after a large outbreak. If you are travelling there, particularly for a longer stay, it is worth discussing with us.

I visit family every year. Does that make a difference?

Yes. Frequent travellers to areas that have seen chikungunya in the past five years are one of the groups current guidance highlights.

Can my parents have it if they are over 60?

Age does not rule out Vimkunya, which has no upper age limit. The other vaccine, IXCHIQ, can no longer be given to anyone aged 60 or over, and we no longer offer it.

Can children have it?

Vimkunya is licensed from 12 years of age. For younger children, bite avoidance is the protection.

How long before the trip should I book?

At least two weeks before you fly, or three weeks for travellers aged 65 and over. Earlier is better if you have other vaccines to plan.

How much does it cost?

£180 for the single dose. All our prices are on our price list.

Is there more information on the vaccine?

Yes. Our complete guide to chikungunya vaccination covers the disease, the vaccine, timing and cost, and includes a four-question checker.