BEFORE YOU DEPART –
ANY QUESTIONS? WE’VE GOT ANSWERS!
How can I find a travel clinic near me?
Before your next trip, it’s important to have a strong plan of action, and we’ve got you covered. Click here and enter your postal code to find a list of travel clinics near you.
How does IXCHIQ™ work?
IXCHIQ™ works by stimulating your immune system to make substances known as antibodies which fight the chikungunya virus. Once vaccinated, if a person comes into contact with chikungunya virus, their body can fight off the virus.
How is IXCHIQ™ administered?
IXCHIQ™ is given by a healthcare professional as a single injection in the upper arm muscle in individuals 18 years of age and older.
When should I take IXCHIQ™?
Since it usually takes two to four weeks to help protect you against the chikungunya virus following vaccination, ask your healthcare professional about IXCHIQ™ at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip.
Regardless of when you’re travelling, you can always plan ahead and get the vaccine anytime in preparation for a lifetime of travels.
What are the ingredients in IXCHIQ™?
Medicinal ingredients: Purified live-attenuated chikungunya virus.
Non-medicinal ingredients: D-Sorbitol, L-Methionine, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium phosphate, Recombinant Human Albumin (rHA), Sucrose, Trisodium citrate di-hydrate.
What should I mention to my healthcare professional before taking IXCHIQ™?
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have had an allergic reaction to a component of IXCHIQ™
- have a bleeding disorder or a reduction in blood platelets, which increases risk of bleeding or bruising (thrombocytopenia) and cannot receive injections in the arm
- have a weakened immune system, for example, due to a genetic defect, HIV infection, or certain medications such as cancer treatment
- currently have any illness with a fever of more than 38.0 °C
- take any medicines, even those you can buy over the counter
What are the areas at-risk of chikungunya?
The chikungunya virus is found in the sub-tropical regions of the Americas, Africa, Southeast Asia, India, and the Pacific Region.
What kind of vaccine is IXCHIQ™?
IXCHIQ™ is a live-attenuated vaccine for intramuscular injection for use in individuals 18 years of age and older to help protect against chikungunya virus.
Being a live-attenuated vaccine means IXCHIQ™ contains a weakened (or attenuated) form of the virus. Because the vaccine is so similar to the natural infection, it helps to prevent chikungunya disease.
Immunity after infection with the chikungunya virus is thought to convey lifelong immunity. It hasn’t yet been established if a booster dose is required following immunization.
You should consult your healthcare professional on the duration of protection of IXCHIQ™ prior to potential re-exposure to the chikungunya virus.
After I get one dose of IXCHIQ™, do I need a booster dose if I ever travel again?
To learn more about the duration of protection IXCHIQ™ provides, you should consult your healthcare professional prior to potential re-exposure to the chikungunya virus.
Who should not take IXCHIQ™?
You should not take IXCHIQ™ if you:
- have an immunodeficiency (e.g., hematologic and solid tumors, receipt of chemotherapy, congenital immunodeficiency, long-term immunosuppressive therapy)
- are severely immunocompromised
- are allergic to any of the ingredients in the vaccine
- are pregnant. Women of child-bearing potential avoid pregnancy for one month following vaccination.
Can IXCHIQ™ cause any side effects?
The most common side effects are headache, fatigue and muscle pain. Joint pain, fever, nausea, skin rash and vomiting may also occur. The most common injection site reaction is tenderness. Pain, redness, hardening, and swelling may also occur.
Potential serious side effects include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, dizziness, weakness or fast heartbeat.
You should see a healthcare professional without delay if you experience any of the potential serious side effects above.
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking IXCHIQ™. If you have troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
