VACCINE FOR CHIKUNGUNYA

• Chikungunya is characterised by severe joint pain and impaired mobility and comes with fever.
• It is a viral infection (CHIKV) transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. It has been described as "an emerging global health threat."
• The WHO fact sheet says Chikungunya is prevalent in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
• Sporadic outbreaks have been reported in other regions.
• Since 2004, outbreaks of CHIKV have become more frequent and widespread.
• This is partly due to viral adaptations allowing the virus to be spread more easily by the Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

3. Clinical Manifestations of Chikungunya

• The joint pain is often debilitating and varies in duration. It can last for a few days, but also be prolonged over months.
• Other symptoms include joint swelling, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash.
• While severe symptoms and deaths from chikungunya are rare, they are usually related to other coexisting health problems.
• It is believed that the numbers are generally underestimated because chikungunya is often misdiagnosed as dengue or zika, as symptoms can seem similar. As of now, there is no cure, only symptomatic relief.
• This includes analgesics to help with the pain, antipyretics for the fever, rest, and adequate fluids.
• Prevention includes mosquito control activities, primarily falling under public health outreach and routine civic maintenance.
• Individuals are also advised to use medicated mosquito nets and ensure that there is no water stagnation in any containers at home in order to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.

• Ixchiq is administered as a single dose by injection into the muscle.
• It contains a live, weakened version of the chikungunya virus and may cause symptoms in the vaccine recipient similar to those experienced by people who have the disease.
• Its safety was evaluated in two clinical studies conducted in North America.
• About 3,500 participants, 18 years of age and older, received a dose of the vaccine.
• The other study included about 1,000 participants receiving a placebo.
• The most reported side effects by vaccine recipients were headache, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, nausea, and tenderness at the injection site.
• The effectiveness of the vaccine was based on immune response data from a clinical study conducted in the U.S. in individuals 18 years of age and older.
• In this study, the immune response of 266 participants who received the vaccine was compared to the immune response of 96 participants who received the placebo.
• The level of antibody evaluated in study participants was based on a level shown to be protective in nonhuman primates that had received blood from people who had been vaccinated.

5. Significance of Vaccine

• Vaccines are designed to prevent diseases by stimulating the immune system to recognize and combat specific pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria. They help the body develop immunity without causing the disease itself.
• Vaccines have been instrumental in eradicating or significantly controlling many infectious diseases worldwide. Diseases like smallpox have been completely eradicated, and others, such as polio and measles, have seen drastic reductions in cases due to vaccination efforts.
• Vaccines protect not only individuals but also communities and populations by establishing herd immunity. When a significant portion of a population is vaccinated against a contagious disease, it becomes more challenging for the disease to spread, thereby protecting even those who aren't vaccinated, such as individuals who cannot receive vaccines for medical reasons.
• Vaccines help reduce the burden on healthcare systems by preventing illness, hospitalizations, and long-term medical care associated with infectious diseases. This, in turn, saves healthcare costs and resources.
• In the context of global health security, vaccines play a crucial role in combating infectious diseases that can rapidly spread across borders. They are essential tools in managing pandemics and preventing the emergence of new public health crises
• By preventing illnesses and their associated complications, vaccines contribute to a better quality of life for individuals and societies. They allow people to live healthier lives, attend school regularly, and contribute more fully to the economy
• Vaccine development involves significant scientific research and innovation. Advances in vaccine technology have not only improved the efficacy and safety of vaccines but have also paved the way for new methods of disease prevention and treatment.