Bavarian Nordic launches VIMKUNYA in the UK for the Prevention of Chikungunya, for individuals aged 12 years and older

September 3, 2025 – Drug Discovery, Other, PharmaceuticalBavarian Nordic, Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, MHRA, chikungunya, vaccines

3 September 2025 — London, UK — Bavarian Nordic A/S announced today the official UK launch of the VIMKUNYA® chikungunya vaccine (recombinant, absorbed). This follows the recent approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in May 2025 and the recent advice published on chikungunya from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in July 2025.
Chikungunya is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes reported in more than 110 countries worldwide, which has similar symptoms to malaria, dengue and zika. Outbreaks are becoming unpredictable and more widespread due to urbanization, global travel, viral mutations and climate change. Chikungunya was designated as one of the Top 24 pathogens by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and despite infections being underreported, lab confirmed and probable cases were up 149% in 2024 compared to 2023 in the UK.

Symptoms of chikungunya include high fever and severe pain in multiple joints, but for more than 2 in 5 people the effects can be chronic, lasting from months to years.

“We’re seeing a clear rise in chikungunya cases coming from popular UK travel destinations, and although it is not widely known among the public, in some people the virus can cause prolonged and sometimes severe symptoms,” said Vincent Macias, Country Director, UK at Bavarian Nordic. “With no specific treatment for chikungunya available, this launch represents a meaningful step towards expanding access to prevention measures, in addition to bite prevention, for those at risk.”

Bavarian Nordic will now work with travel health providers across the UK to support the roll-out of the vaccine for UK travelers.

About Bavarian Nordic
Bavarian Nordic is a global vaccine company with a mission to improve health and save lives through innovative vaccines. We are a preferred supplier of mpox and smallpox vaccines to governments to enhance public health preparedness and have a leading portfolio of travel vaccines. For more information, visit www.bavarian-nordic.com.

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