The Maldives has also been recently experiencing an increase in chikungunya cases, with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reporting 78 cases in March and April of 2024 alone.
CNN
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted approval for the first-ever vaccine against chikungunya, a significant milestone in the fight against this mosquito-borne disease. Developed by Valneva, the VLA1553 vaccine aims to protect individuals from the debilitating effects of chikungunya, which include high fever, joint pain, and rashes.
Chikungunya has become a global health concern, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The Maldives has also been recently experiencing an increase in chikungunya cases, with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reporting 78 cases in March and April of 2024 alone. With the rise in cases in the Maldives, HPA had also implemented mosquito control programs and educational initiatives to curb the spread of the disease. Even with this, as the months went by, chikungunya cases continued to increase in the Maldives, alongside of dengue cases.
The approval of VLA1553 offers hope for reducing the prevalence of chikungunya, particularly in high-risk areas. The vaccine has shown promising results in clinical trials, marking a significant advancement in global public health efforts. As the Maldives continues to tackle rising chikungunya cases, this vaccine could play a crucial role in future prevention strategies.
