The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a safety alert warning adults over 60 years of age to avoid the chikungunya vaccine due to the risk of severe adverse effects, including fatalities. The Ixchiq vaccine, developed by Valneva and approved in November 2023 as the first chikungunya vaccine, is recommended for individuals aged 18 and older who are at risk of exposure to the virus. However, the agency has paused its use in seniors following reports of serious complications, including two deaths from severe conditions such as encephalitis, and is conducting an updated benefit-risk assessment for this age group. While the vaccine is designed to prevent the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, which shares transmission methods with dengue and Zika, the FDA and CDC are urging caution and further evaluation before its continued use in older adults. The advisory highlights the need for careful monitoring of post-marketing safety reports as the agencies assess the vaccine’s safety profile. This warning comes after reports of ‘serious adverse events’ including neurologic and cardiac issues in individuals who received the vaccine, with two out of 17 events resulting in death. The FDA warns that the vaccine, which contains a live, weakened version of the chikungunya virus, may cause symptoms similar to the actual virus, such as fever, severe joint pain, headache, muscle pain, and a rash. Most people recover within a week, but some may experience ‘severe and disabling’ joint pain for weeks or months. The CDC describes chikungunya as an emerging global health threat, with over five million cases reported in the past 15 years. The FDA is now planning an updated benefit-risk assessment for Ixchiq use in those over 60 years of age. The advisory follows the FDA’s initial approval of the vaccine, which was hailed as an ’emerging global health threat’ and a significant development in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases. As the agency gathers more data, the public is urged to stay informed and follow further updates on the safety of the vaccine for older adults.