Bavarian Nordic Receives Marketing Authorization for Chikungunya Vaccine for Persons Aged 12 and Older in the United Kingdom

Core Viewpoint - Bavarian Nordic A/S has received marketing authorization from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for its chikungunya vaccine, VIMKUNYA, aimed at individuals aged 12 and older, with a planned launch in the UK during the summer of 2025 [1][2][3]. Group 1: Vaccine Approval and Launch - The approval of VIMKUNYA follows a review under the international recognition procedure, acknowledging prior approvals from other regulatory bodies, including the European Commission [2]. - This marks the third approval for Bavarian Nordic's chikungunya vaccine, following approvals from the U.S. FDA and the European Commission in February 2025 [3]. Group 2: Disease Background - Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease that has emerged in over 110 countries, with significant outbreaks reported in Asia, Africa, and the Americas [4]. - In 2024, there were 620,000 reported cases of chikungunya globally, resulting in over 200 deaths, indicating a potential underreporting of the disease [4]. Group 3: Vaccine Details and Efficacy - VIMKUNYA is a single-dose, adjuvanted VLP recombinant protein vaccine designed for active immunization against chikungunya virus [5]. - Phase 3 clinical trials involving over 3,500 participants demonstrated that 21 days post-vaccination, up to 97.8% of individuals developed neutralizing antibodies [6]. Group 4: Company Overview - Bavarian Nordic is a global vaccine company focused on improving health through innovative vaccines, with a strong portfolio in travel vaccines and public health preparedness [7].