Valneva Unveils Chikungunya's Global Impact in The BMJ

Valneva, a global leader in specialty vaccines, has published a groundbreaking study in The British Medical Journal (BMJ) that sheds light on the global health and economic burden of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease. The research, titled "The Global Health and Economic Burden of Chikungunya from 2011 to 2020," reveals a staggering impact of the disease, with 18.7 million cases reported worldwide between 2011 and 2020. This has resulted in 1.95 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost and an estimated total economic burden of $50.9 billion in direct and indirect costs.

The study highlights the significant long-term chronic illness costs and DALYs lost due to chikungunya, which have been underestimated in previous analyses. The economic burden is primarily felt in Latin America and the Caribbean, with costs estimated at $2.8 billion in direct costs and $47.1 billion in indirect costs.

Juan Carlos Jaramillo, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Valneva, emphasizes the importance of understanding the global burden of chikungunya for informing decision-makers and designing effective prevention and control strategies. He states, "Due to climate change, mosquito-borne diseases have become a year-round menace and continue spreading, increasing the potential for outbreaks."

Valneva's chikungunya vaccine, IXCHIQ, has shown robust and long-lasting antibody persistence, offering a promising solution to mitigate the disease's global burden. The vaccine has been approved in the U.S., Europe, and Canada, and Valneva is expanding its label and access to ensure broader availability, including in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

As governments allocate resources to combat chikungunya, it is crucial to prioritize vaccination campaigns and vector control strategies. International cooperation and funding, such as CEPI's support for Valneva, play a vital role in addressing global health challenges like chikungunya. Public-private partnerships, like Valneva's collaboration with CEPI and Instituto Butantan, foster access to vaccines in low- and middle-income countries.

Valneva's publication in The BMJ underscores the urgent need for global action to combat chikungunya. By understanding the disease's true impact and investing in effective prevention and control strategies, we can reduce the global health and economic burden of chikungunya.