FDA Officials Explain Why They Paused Chikungunya Vaccination for Older Adults

Officials need time to investigate reported post-vaccination problems, and figure out whether additional, unreported issues exist, they said.

A box of Ixchiq chikungunya vaccine at a pharmacy in Le Reunion in an undated file photograph. Richard Bouhet/AFP via Getty Images

Federal officials paused administration of a vaccine against the chikungunya virus for some adults because post-vaccination problems may be related to the shot, regulatory authorities said on June 5.

Seventeen serious adverse events—including two deaths—had been reported by early May among people who received the chikungunya vaccine.