Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT): Statements and publications

The live-attenuated vaccine, IXCHIQ, is authorized for use in Canada for the prevention of disease caused by the chikungunya virus. Recommendations for this vaccine are being developed by CATMAT.

Reports of hospitalization for cardiac or neurologic events following vaccination with IXCHIQ in persons 65 years of age or older are being investigated in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Health Canada is monitoring the safety of IXCHIQ, as it does with other vaccines, including requiring the manufacturer to submit periodic safety reports and regularly assessing adverse events following immunization. Health Canada will take appropriate action if new safety information that may affect the benefit-risk profile of IXCHIQ is identified.

A discussion between the traveller and their healthcare provider should take place prior to travel to assess the traveller's risk for chikungunya, to discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination, and to support shared decision making for use of chikungunya vaccine. Considerations include knowledge of chikungunya activity levels at a location (i.e. is an outbreak known to be occurring; the US CDC has developed a webpage where areas known to be suffering a chikungunya outbreak are identified); traveller-specific risk factors that might increase the impact of chikungunya (e.g., older age, very young age); traveller willingness to use measures to prevent mosquito bites; and traveller-specific values and preference for receiving vaccination.

• Full Statement (html only)
• Full Statement (pdf only)
• Appendix 1: Malaria transmission and recommended preventive measures by geographical area

• CORRECTION NOTICE 2014

• Full statement
• Summary

• Summary
• Full statement

• Full statement
• Summary