Chikungunya Vaccination (Vimkunya)

Chikungunya vaccination with Vimkunya is a private pharmacist service at Ways Pharmacy in Holborn, London. Chikungunya is a viral infection spread mainly by Aedes mosquitoes in parts of tropical and subtropical regions, and during outbreaks where these mosquitoes are present. It typically causes sudden fever and severe joint pain, and the joint pain can sometimes last for weeks, months or longer. Vimkunya is a non-live vaccine that helps protect against the disease. It is given only after a pharmacist has assessed your itinerary and health and confirmed it is suitable for you.

How to get this vaccine

1. Start your free online assessment. Answer the health questions online and confirm your identity (upload photo ID, or show it on a video call).
2. Pharmacist reviews and speaks with you. A GPhC-registered pharmacist reviews your destination, travel dates, health, medicines and previous vaccines and checks that the vaccine is suitable for you.
3. If suitable, pay and book. Once the pharmacist confirms the vaccine is suitable, you pay on this page, or call 020 8106 7084 to book. Please call before you visit so we can confirm the vaccine is in stock and agree a time. If the pharmacist decides the vaccine is not suitable for you, you pay nothing. If you have already paid and the pharmacist decides the vaccine is not suitable for you, you receive a full refund.
4. Visit our Holborn pharmacy and get vaccinated. Under-16s attend with a parent or guardian. The injection is given in the pharmacy. The pharmacist may ask you to wait for a short time afterwards.

There is no separate consultation fee. This vaccine is given only in our Holborn pharmacy and cannot be posted.

About this vaccine

Vaccination schedule

• One dose of 0.8ml from age 12. The same dose is used for older adults
• Have the vaccine in good time before you could be exposed so your body has time to respond. The pharmacist advises on timing for your trip
• Booster doses are not currently recommended, and the vaccine is not repeated just because travel plans change
• If you need other travel vaccines, tell the pharmacist: giving Vimkunya at the same time as other vaccines has not been studied, so the pharmacist checks the timing

Warnings and who should not have this vaccine

• Anyone under 12 years old
• Anyone who has had an allergic reaction to Vimkunya or any of its ingredients, or a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose
• Anyone with a high temperature or acute infection on the day — vaccination is postponed until you recover. A minor cold or mild temperature does not usually mean a delay
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding, a weakened immune system or immunosuppressive treatment, a bleeding disorder, low platelets or anticoagulant treatment, a previous reaction to a vaccine or severe allergy, a previous chikungunya infection, or a significant long-term health condition need individual assessment — tell the pharmacist
• If you have fainted or felt faint with injections before, tell the pharmacist

The vaccine may not protect everyone who receives it, and it may work less well in people with a weakened immune system. Keep avoiding mosquito bites with repellent, covering clothing and nets or screens where advised. Some destinations with chikungunya also carry a malaria risk: see our malaria tablets page.

Possible side effects

Very common side effects are pain where the injection was given, tiredness, headache and aching muscles. Chills, feeling generally unwell, joint pain and nausea are common. Redness, swelling or bruising where the injection was given, fever, dizziness and rash are less common. Get emergency help straight away if you develop difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or collapse.

See all vaccines and prices on our travel vaccinations in Holborn page.

Regulatory information

• Legal status: Prescription-only medicine (POM), supplied and administered under a Patient Group Direction after pharmacist assessment
• Pharmacy: Ways Pharmacy, 77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET · GPhC-registered premises 9012227 · Monday to Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm
• Patient information leaflet: electronic Medicines Compendium (emc)
• Report suspected side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme

This page gives factual information about a prescription-only vaccine and is not an advertisement to the public. It is given only after a pharmacist has assessed that it is suitable for you.