Bavarian Nordic Announces Commercial Launch of Chikungunya Vaccine in the U.S.

• VIMKUNYA™ (Chikungunya Vaccine, Recombinant) is the first virus-like particle (VLP) single-dose chikungunya vaccine now available in the U.S. and the first chikungunya vaccine for individuals over the age of 12.^1,2
• Beginning today, travel clinics and other healthcare providers will be able to stock VIMKUNYA™.

DURHAM, U.S., March 18, 2025 – Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) announced today the U.S. commercial availability of VIMKUNYA™ (Chikungunya Vaccine, Recombinant), the first virus-like particle single-dose, pre-filled syringe chikungunya vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in individuals aged 12 and above.¹ VIMKUNYA™ is the first chikungunya vaccine to leverage VLP technology, which means it uses virus-like particles designed to mimic the chikungunya virus without the ability to infect cells, replicate or cause disease.¹

VIMKUNYA™ addresses an important unmet public health need by expanding those eligible for vaccination against chikungunya to travelers aged 12 and over.¹ Prior to approval, the only FDA approved vaccine for chikungunya prevention was indicated for travelers aged 18 and above.³

Chikungunya is an emerging global health threat, with active transmission becoming more common and widespread due to the growth of cities, global travel, chikungunya virus mutations and climate change.^2,4 Receiving vaccination against chikungunya, like VIMKUNYA™, prior to visiting areas where there is a risk of the disease can help prevent contraction and the potential for long-term illness.⁵

Beginning today, travel clinics and other healthcare providers will be able to stock VIMKUNYA™. Access to VIMKUNYA™ depends on location and individual circumstances. In some areas, a prescription may be required, so travelers should check with their healthcare provider or a travel health clinic to determine availability and whether they need a prescription. Patients may also ask their employer about coverage as a travel health expense if receiving VIMKUNYA™ for work-related travel. Those visiting or living in areas where chikungunya is present – or who have risk factors for severe disease – should consult a healthcare professional to assess their need for vaccination.

“The commercial availability of VIMKUNYA™ in the U.S. underscores our commitment to addressing emerging health threats and safeguarding communities nationwide,” said Lee Ann Kimak, Vice President, Commercial for North America at Bavarian Nordic. “As the first virus-like particle single-dose, pre-filled syringe chikungunya vaccine, VIMKUNYA™ provides a crucial new tool to help protect at-risk individuals traveling to regions where the virus is spreading.”

VIMKUNYA™, a single-dose 1-mL glass pre-filled syringe, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 14, 2025.¹ The approval was based on results from two phase 3 clinical trials which enrolled more than 3,500 healthy individuals 12 years of age and older.^1,6,7 Primary endpoints were met in the phase 3 trials, with results showing that 21 days after vaccination, VIMKUNYA™ induced neutralizing antibodies in up to 97.8% of individuals vaccinated and demonstrated a rapid immune response starting to develop within one week.^1,7 The vaccine was well-tolerated and adverse events were mainly mild or moderate in nature.⁶

For more information, visit www.bavarian-nordic.com/media/chikungunya.

About Chikungunya
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV). In the past 20 years, the virus has emerged across several regions in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, including many popular travel destinations, often causing large unpredictable outbreaks. Since its discovery, CHIKV has been identified in more than 110 countries, with evidence of transmission confirmed in more than 50 countries over the past five years². Chikungunya typically presents with acute symptoms, including fever, rash, fatigue, headache, and often severe and incapacitating joint pain. Most patients recover, but 30-40% of those affected may develop chronic symptoms that can last for months or even years³. In 2024, 620,000 cases of chikungunya and over 200 deaths were reported worldwide⁴. Recent data suggest that chikungunya is severely underreported and often misdiagnosed as dengue fever due to a similar symptom profile⁵. 

About VIMKUNYA™ (Chikungunya Vaccine, Recombinant)
VIMKUNYA™ is a vaccine for prevention of disease caused by chikungunya virus in people 12 years of age and older.

Additional clinical studies are required to confirm the clinical profile of VIMKUNYA™, and confirmatory efficacy studies are also planned as part of the post-marketing commitments and requirements as agreed with the FDA.

VIMKUNYA™ is supplied as a single-dose 1-mL glass pre-filled syringe with 0.8 mL dose volume.

Important Safety Information
The following information is based on the U.S. Prescribing Information for VIMKUNYA™. Please consult the full Prescribing Information for all the labelled safety information for VIMKUNYA™. 

You should not get VIMKUNYA™ if you are allergic to any of the ingredients of the vaccine or if you have had an allergic reaction following a previous dose of VIMKUNYA™. 

People with a lowered immune system, including people receiving medications that affect the immune system, may have a diminished response to VIMKUNYA™. Tell your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking.

Fainting may occur with administration of injected vaccines including VIMKUNYA™. 

The most common side effects were pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. These are not all the possible side effects.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects that concern you. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bavarian Nordic at 1-844-422-8274 or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by visiting www.vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html or call 1-800-822-7967.

About Bavarian Nordic
Bavarian Nordic is a global vaccine company with a mission to improve health and save lives through innovative vaccines. We are a preferred supplier of mpox and smallpox vaccines to governments to enhance public health preparedness and have a leading portfolio of travel vaccines. For more information, visit www.bavarian-nordic.com 

Contact media:
Mark Clarke, U.S. Marketing Communications, mack@bavariannordic.com, Tel: 984-218-4336

Nicole Seroff, Vice President Corporate Communications, nise@bavarian-nordic.com, Tel: + 45 53 88 06 03

Media are also encouraged to visit http://www.bavarian-nordic.com/media/chikungunya for additional background information and media kit, including photos and b-roll.