If you’re planning a trip to a tropical destination we have exciting news. Health Canada has approved a new vaccine to help prevent Chikungunya disease. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause severe joint pain lasting for weeks or even years.
The virus is found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Outbreaks of Chikungunya have occurred in Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Europe, and islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans.
The VIMKUNYA vaccine is expected to be available at TMVC by mid-December, 2026. Keep reading to learn more about chikungunya, the VIMKUNYA vaccine, and whether you should consider the vaccine for your upcoming trip.
Should You Be Concerned About Chikungunya Infection?
Some people infected with chikungunya virus have no symptoms. However, those who develop symptoms can experience sudden high fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, rash, and severe and debilitating joint pain.
These symptoms usually resolve in 7-10 days but some people suffer with persistent severe joint pain and prolonged fatigue for months or even years after infection. Studies suggest that joint pain lasts for 3 months after infection in 50% of people and for 12 months in 30% of people.
Rare complications are also possible, including inflammation of the liver or heart, nerve damage, kidney damage, Guillain-Barré syndrome, or swelling of the brain or spinal cord. There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya, so prevention is particularly important.
Anyone visiting an area where chikungunya is circulating is at risk of becoming infected. The mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya bite throughout the day and evening. The risk of infection is higher in urban areas with poor sanitation where there are many mosquito breeding sites (e.g., containers with stagnant water).
The risk of becoming infected is highest when travelling to an area with a chikungunya outbreak. It’s estimated by that for every 100,000 travellers visiting a chikungunya outbreak area, 667 will get sick with chikungunya, 27 of those people will be hospitalized, and 253 people will have ongoing joint pain for a year.
The VIMKUNYA Vaccine
Health Canada approved the VIMKUNYA vaccine in June 2026 to help prevent disease caused by chikungunya virus. The vaccine has been available for use in the United States since 2025, and is expected to become available in Canada in mid-December.
VIMKUNYA is authorized for individuals 12 years of age and older. In the United States, vaccination is recommended for travellers visiting areas experiencing an outbreak of chikungunya. It can also be considered for those travelling for more than 6 months to areas where the virus is circulating.
Canadian recommendations for VIMKUNYA are still being developed. Your travel-health consultant can assess your destination, itinerary, duration of travel, and individual health factors to help determine whether vaccination is recommended.
The VIMKUNYA vaccine is safe and effective. It is a recombinant virus-like particle vaccine, meaning it uses particles that resemble the virus to stimulate an immune response without containing live chikungunya virus.
Clinical trials have demonstrated a strong antibody response following vaccination with a single dose. However, further research is needed to establish how long protection lasts and whether booster doses will be necessary.
Common side effects of VIMKUNYA can include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache and muscle aches.
VIMKUNYA vs. IXCHIQ: What’s the Difference?
You may have heard of IXCHIQ, another chikungunya vaccine that was authorized by Health Canada in 2024.
The main difference between the two vaccines is how they work. IXCHIQ is a live-attenuated vaccine that uses a weakened form of chikungunya virus. VIMKUNYA is a non-live, recombinant virus-like particle vaccine.
Because IXCHIQ contains a weakened live virus, it can cause chikungunya-like symptoms, including fever and joint pain. Serious adverse reactions have also been reported, particularly among adults aged 65 and older with multiple chronic health conditions. Health Canada recommends against using IXCHIQ in adults aged 65 and older.
IXCHIQ is contraindicated in immunocompromised individuals because of the risk associated with the live vaccine strain.
VIMKUNYA does not contain live chikungunya virus, so it can be considered for individuals with a compromised immune system.
Both vaccines offer an option for preventing chikungunya disease, but their safety profiles and suitability for individual travellers differ.
Should You Consider the VIMKUNYA Vaccine?
The best way to determine whether VIMKUNYA is recommended for your trip is to book a travel consultation at TMVC. Your travel-health consultant can review your planned itinerary, check for current chikungunya outbreaks, and assess whether vaccination may be beneficial based on your length of stay, exposure risk, age, and medical history.
Mosquito-bite prevention remains essential, whether or not you receive the vaccine. Using an appropriate insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and reducing exposure to mosquitoes can help lower your risk of infection.
Booking your travel consultation at TMVC is easy. Simply give us a call at 1-888-288-8682 or book online.
VIMKUNYA Waitlist
TMVC is currently maintaining a waitlist for travellers interested in receiving VIMKUNYA once it becomes available.
If you’re planning to travel in 2027 and would like to be added to the waitlist, simply call us at 1-888-288-8682.