Launch of Chikungunya Vaccination Campaign in Réunion
Minister Manuel Valls initiates vaccination program in response to chikungunya outbreak.
Manuel Valls, the Minister of Overseas Territories, has officially launched a vaccination campaign against chikungunya in La Réunion on April 7, 2025. The event took place at a pharmacy in L'Étang-Salé, in the southern region of the island, which has been severely impacted by the ongoing chikungunya epidemic.
The vaccine, known as Ixchiq, received European approval in June 2024 and marks the first available immunization against this viral disease transmitted by tiger mosquitoes.
Last week, 40,000 doses of the vaccine were delivered to the island, prioritized for individuals aged 65 and older who have comorbidities.
Minister Valls announced that an additional 50,000 doses are expected to arrive by the end of April, emphasizing the importance of the manufacturing capacity of the pharmaceutical company responsible for the vaccine's production.
The vaccination campaign will expand to include individuals over 18 with comorbidities as soon as the new shipment is received.
Gérard Cotellon, the Director of the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of La Réunion, revealed that the first quarter expenditures for vector control measures totaled approximately €15 million.
Since January, La Réunion has reported over 20,000 confirmed cases of chikungunya; however, Valls indicated that the actual number of infections could range from 50,000 to 70,000, as many individuals may not have reported their illness.
Following the campaign launch, Valls visited the Centre Hospitalier Ouest Réunion (CHOR) in Saint-Paul, where he toured several departments treating chikungunya patients.
Authorities have confirmed two fatalities linked to the virus from elderly patients aged 86 and 96, with investigations into additional deaths ongoing.
According to ARS, nearly 6,000 new cases were registered between March 17 and March 23, according to the latest available data.
In response to the heightened emergency pressures on healthcare services, La Réunion's University Hospital (CHU) activated a "white plan" to manage the situation effectively.
In a related development, the nearby island of Mauritius announced that it will require travelers from La Réunion to present a negative PCR test for chikungunya starting April 9 and lasting until May 8.
The vaccine, known as Ixchiq, received European approval in June 2024 and marks the first available immunization against this viral disease transmitted by tiger mosquitoes.
Last week, 40,000 doses of the vaccine were delivered to the island, prioritized for individuals aged 65 and older who have comorbidities.
Minister Valls announced that an additional 50,000 doses are expected to arrive by the end of April, emphasizing the importance of the manufacturing capacity of the pharmaceutical company responsible for the vaccine's production.
The vaccination campaign will expand to include individuals over 18 with comorbidities as soon as the new shipment is received.
Gérard Cotellon, the Director of the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of La Réunion, revealed that the first quarter expenditures for vector control measures totaled approximately €15 million.
Since January, La Réunion has reported over 20,000 confirmed cases of chikungunya; however, Valls indicated that the actual number of infections could range from 50,000 to 70,000, as many individuals may not have reported their illness.
Following the campaign launch, Valls visited the Centre Hospitalier Ouest Réunion (CHOR) in Saint-Paul, where he toured several departments treating chikungunya patients.
Authorities have confirmed two fatalities linked to the virus from elderly patients aged 86 and 96, with investigations into additional deaths ongoing.
According to ARS, nearly 6,000 new cases were registered between March 17 and March 23, according to the latest available data.
In response to the heightened emergency pressures on healthcare services, La Réunion's University Hospital (CHU) activated a "white plan" to manage the situation effectively.
In a related development, the nearby island of Mauritius announced that it will require travelers from La Réunion to present a negative PCR test for chikungunya starting April 9 and lasting until May 8.
