Chikungunya: What Travellers Need to Know — And Why a Single-Dose Vaccine Is Now a Game-Changer
Jaydev Varsani – Clinical Pharamcist – Travel Clinic Lead
If you are planning a trip to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Brazil, the Caribbean or Central/South America, you’ve probably already thought about mosquito bites, maybe dengue, maybe malaria — but very few people think about chikungunya.
It is not as well-known, but the impact can be huge.
And now that we finally have a single-dose vaccine (Vimkunya®) available in the UK, it is worth understanding what you are protecting yourself from.
This is a straight, honest breakdown for anyone travelling to areas where chikungunya is circulating, or where outbreaks pop up during the year — especially if you are going to see family or staying in non-hotel accommodation.
So, what actually is chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes, the same ones responsible for dengue and Zika.
Two things make these mosquitoes different from what people usually expect:
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They bite in the day, not just at night.
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They live in urban areas — patios, courtyards, plant pots, water tanks, buckets, building sites.
If you are travelling to places where these mosquitoes thrive, especially during monsoon or warm seasons, the risk increases sharply.
Where is chikungunya common right now?
The main hotspots include:
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India
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Pakistan
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Bangladesh
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Sri Lanka
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Brazil
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Caribbean islands
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Central America
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Parts of Africa
Over the last few years, we have seen more travellers returning to the UK with chikungunya, particularly from South Asia. Warmer temperatures, heavier rainfall and rapidly growing mosquito populations all contribute.
If you are staying with family, travelling during monsoon season, or spending long days outdoors, your exposure risk is a lot higher than people who stay in air-conditioned hotels.
What are the symptoms?
This is where people are usually surprised.
Chikungunya symptoms hit hard and fast:
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Sudden, very high fever
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Intense joint pain — often severe enough that people cannot stand properly
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Fatigue
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Muscle aches
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Headaches
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Swelling of joints
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Rash
The acute phase is unpleasant, but most people get through it within a couple of weeks.
The long-term effects, however, are what make chikungunya something worth avoiding.
The part most travellers do not hear about: long-term joint pain
Around 30–40% of people go on to develop long-lasting joint symptoms:
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Chronic arthritis
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Persistent joint pain
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Reduced mobility
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Ongoing fatigue
These symptoms can last months to years.
If you are older, have existing joint issues, or have autoimmune conditions, the likelihood of prolonged symptoms is higher.
This is one of the main reasons why protecting yourself before travel makes so much sense.
Is there a treatment?
No specific antiviral treatment exists.
Management is supportive — rest, hydration, paracetamol initially (NSAIDs only after dengue has been excluded), and in stubborn cases of long-term joint symptoms, people sometimes need specialist rheumatology care.
This is one of those infections where prevention really is better than cure.
So, is there a vaccine? Yes — finally.
For many years, travellers had no vaccine option for chikungunya.
Now we have Vimkunya®, the first non-replicating, single-dose chikungunya vaccine available in the UK.
Why this vaccine is different:
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It is not a live vaccine, so it does not cause viraemia or contain replicating virus.
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It is suitable for people 12 years and older.
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You only need one dose.
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It produces a strong antibody response within 3 weeks.
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Older adults respond well, which is important because they are more prone to severe disease.
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Side effects are generally mild and short-lived.
Who is the vaccine for?
It is ideal for anyone travelling to a region where chikungunya is circulating.
It is particularly sensible if:
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You are visiting family in South Asia
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You are travelling during monsoon or warm seasons
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You are staying in non-air-conditioned homes
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You will be outdoors frequently
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You have any joint problems
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You simply do not want to risk months of pain.
How does it compare with the other vaccine, IXCHIQ®?
There is another chikungunya vaccine called IXCHIQ®, but it is a live-attenuated vaccine, meaning:
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It contains a weakened but replicating version of the virus
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It can cause a short period of viraemia
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It is not suitable for immunosuppressed individuals
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It is generally avoided in older adults
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Side effects can be more pronounced
Because of that, most UK clinics — including ours — use Vimkunya® as the safer, more flexible option.
Do I still need mosquito-bite prevention if I get the vaccine?
Yes.
Vaccination significantly reduces your risk of chikungunya, but Aedes mosquitoes also transmit dengue and Zika, for which vaccines are not routinely available.
You will still need:
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A strong repellent (DEET, picaridin, IR3535, PMD)
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Long sleeves and trousers when possible
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A/C or screened rooms
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Standing water kept to a minimum
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Permethrin-treated clothing for outdoor-heavy trips
Think of the vaccine as your safety net, not your only defence.
Is the vaccine worth it?
If you are travelling to an affected region — yes, absolutely.
The acute infection is miserable, the long-term consequences are often underestimated, and the vaccine is a single dose, well-tolerated, and offers a useful layer of protection for peace of mind.
Most patients tell us the same thing:
“If there is even a small chance of avoiding months of joint pain, I want the vaccine.”
And that is the sensible approach.
How to book your chikungunya vaccination at Murrays Chemist
We offer Vimkunya® on-site at Murrays Chemist in Harrow.
Price: £200 for the single dose
Address: 172 Kenton Road, Harrow, HA3 8BL
Phone: 0208 907 0413
Website: www.murrayschemist.co.uk
We recommend getting vaccinated at least 3–4 weeks before travel to allow time for your immune system to respond.
If you are travelling sooner, we can still assess you and discuss the best approach.
