Chikungunya Vaccination (Vimkunya) – Available at Murrays Chemist, Harrow

Chikungunya is increasingly on the radar for UK travellers — particularly those visiting family in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other parts of South Asia, as well as regions in Brazil, the Caribbean, and Central/South America. Rising temperatures, heavier rainfall and dense urban mosquito populations mean outbreaks are becoming more frequent and more severe.

At Murrays Chemist in Harrow, we now offer Vimkunya® (chikungunya vaccine, recombinant, adsorbed) — a single-dose, non-replicating vaccine designed to protect travellers aged 12 years and over against the chikungunya virus.

Vaccine offered: Vimkunya® (Bavarian Nordic)
Course: 1 dose (0.8ml IM, deltoid)
Price: £200 per dose
Location: Murrays Chemist, 172 Kenton Road, Harrow, HA3 8BL
Bookings: 0208 907 0413 • www.murrayschemist.co.uk

All patients receive a face-to-face pre-travel consultation with our clinical pharmacist, reviewing your itinerary, medical history, suitability for vaccination, and your mosquito-bite prevention strategy.

What is chikungunya?

Chikungunya is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which bite predominantly during the daytime — especially around sunrise and late afternoon.

Key facts

• Incubation: 3–7 days (range 2–12) after a mosquito bite

• Transmission: Aedes mosquito; the same species responsible for dengue and Zika

• High-risk regions: Warm, humid climates with stagnant water and thriving daytime-biting mosquitoes. Outbreaks frequently occur across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and occasionally parts of Europe.

Symptoms and long-term problems

Most people acutely develop:

• Sudden, high fever (often above 39°C)

• Severe joint pain — often debilitating

• Muscle pains and fatigue

• Headache

• Joint swelling

• Skin rash

Symptoms usually resolve within 1–2 weeks. However, the real challenge comes afterwards:

• 30–40% of people develop chronic arthritis or persistent joint pain lasting months to years.

• Older adults, pregnant women, babies, and individuals with underlying health issues are at greater risk of severe or prolonged complications.

• Rare but documented complications include cardiac, neurological and ocular issues.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral for chikungunya. Treatment is supportive:

• Rest and good hydration

• Paracetamol for fever and pain (NSAIDs avoided initially until dengue is excluded)

• NSAIDs may be used later

• Some patients with persistent joint problems may require specialist treatment — including longer-term anti-inflammatory or disease-modifying agents

Once infected, individuals typically develop long-lasting immunity, but may be left with long-term joint issues.

Why this matters particularly for South Asian travellers

Recent UK surveillance has shown a clear rise in chikungunya infections linked to travel to India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bangladesh and surrounding regions.

For our Harrow patient population, the risk is higher because:

• Trips often involve longer family stays, not short hotel visits

• Many travellers stay in non-air-conditioned homes with open windows

• Travel frequently coincides with monsoon seasons, when mosquito breeding dramatically increases

This combination significantly elevates the chance of mosquito bites. For these travellers, vaccination plus strong bite-avoidance measures is a sensible and proportional risk-reduction strategy.

The Vaccines: Vimkunya® vs IXCHIQ® – What Is the Difference?

Two chikungunya vaccines are licensed in the UK:

• Vimkunya® — non-replicating virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine

• IXCHIQ® — live-attenuated chikungunya vaccine

1. Vimkunya® (the vaccine we offer at Murrays)

Type

• Virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine produced in human embryonic kidney cells

• VLPs mimic the virus structure but contain no genetic material, so cannot infect or replicate

• Adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide

Indication & Schedule

• Licensed for age 12+

• Single 0.8ml intramuscular dose

• No booster currently recommended; duration still under review

Immune Response & Duration

• ~98% of participants achieved protective neutralising antibody levels by day 22

• Around 85–86% maintained protective levels at 6 months

• Longer-term studies show persistence beyond two years, but exact duration is still being evaluated

• No booster schedule currently defined

Safety Profile

• Generally well tolerated

• Common: injection site pain, fatigue, headache, myalgia

• Some may experience transient fever or chills

• No viraemia, no shedding — no live virus

• Good tolerability demonstrated in patients 65+

Because there is no live component, this vaccine is suitable for a broader range of travellers, including older adults and those with more complex health backgrounds.

2. IXCHIQ® (Live-Attenuated – Not Routinely Offered)

Type

• Live-attenuated vaccine grown in Vero cells

• Contains a genetically modified, weakened virus that can replicate briefly

• Causes a measurable, short-lived viraemia

Indication & Schedule

• Licensed for immunocompetent adults 18+

• JCVI guidance typically focuses on 18–59 years

• Single 0.5ml intramuscular dose

Immune Response & Duration

• High seroresponse (~99%)

• Antibody persistence demonstrated up to 2 years, similar to Vimkunya

Safety Considerations

• Not suitable for:

  • Immunosuppressed individuals

  • Those with thymus disorders

  • Older adults (safety concerns reported in ≥60 years)

• Recipients must avoid blood donation for 4 weeks

• More likely to cause stronger systemic reactions (fever, arthralgia, myalgia)

• Rare but serious reactions have been reported internationally

Because of these concerns, Vimkunya remains the safer and more appropriate default for the majority of travellers.

Why We Use Vimkunya at Murrays Chemist

From a clinical governance and risk–benefit perspective:

• Non-replicating: no viraemia, no risk of inducing chikungunya-like illness

• Licensed from age 12, with no upper age limit

• Strong immunogenicity across age groups, including older adults

• Fewer systemic reactions compared with live vaccines

• Better safety profile for multi-generational family travel

It remains the most practical and robust option for protecting travellers in our community.

Who Should Consider Chikungunya Vaccination?

Vaccination is appropriate for:

• Travellers spending prolonged time in outbreak regions

• Anyone visiting family in:

  • India

  • Bangladesh

  • Sri Lanka

  • Pakistan

  • Brazil / Caribbean / Central America

• Outdoor workers or those undertaking physical activities

• Older travellers who cannot afford long-term joint complications

• Those with pre-existing joint or autoimmune conditions

During your consultation, we will:

• Review your itinerary and travel season

• Assess your medical history, medications and immunisation status

• Discuss the benefits and limitations of the vaccine

• Decide on suitability and timing

Who May Not Be Suitable for Vimkunya?

• Allergic reaction to ingredients in the vaccine

• Previous severe reaction to a chikungunya vaccine

• Under 12 years old

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding (case-by-case assessment)

• Severe immunosuppression — may reduce immune response

We will provide a full clinical assessment and liaise with your GP or specialist if required.

Mosquito-Bite Prevention – Still Essential

Vaccination does not eliminate the risk of mosquito-borne illness. Other infections such as dengue, Zika, malaria and West Nile virus remain active in the same regions.

We recommend:

• High-strength insect repellent (DEET, picaridin, IR3535, PMD)

• Wearing long sleeves and trousers during peak biting times

• Permethrin-treated clothing or nets

• Removing / avoiding standing water

• Staying in air-conditioned or screened accommodation

Pricing and How to Book at Murrays Chemist

Chikungunya (Vimkunya) vaccine: £200 (single dose)
Standard consultation charges may apply.

We can combine your visit with other travel vaccines (e.g. hepatitis A/B, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis) and malaria advice.

To book: Use the website Booking widget

Bookings can be arranged via telephone, online, or by walking in.
Ideally, aim to complete vaccination at least 3–4 weeks before travel.