The government of the United States has now advised its travelers who are of 60 years and above to not get a chikungunya vaccine. This has come at the backdrop of the investigation of the vaccine, which may have possible side effects.As of late last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted notices about the same. It recommended the pause in use of Ixchiq, the Chikungunya Vaccine, Live.The notice read:As of May 7, 2025, 17 serious adverse events, including two that resulted in death, have been reported in individuals 62 through 89 years of age who received Ixchiq during postmarketing use globally. Six of these reports have been from the United States (U.S.). Most U.S. and foreign serious adverse events that have been reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), co-managed by FDA and CDC, have been in individuals with underlying chronic medical conditions. Adverse events reported to VAERS may not be causally related to vaccination. Approximately 80,000 doses of Ixchiq have been distributed globally.It was last year when the government had recommended the vaccine which is made with weakened chikungunya virus. The vaccine was recommended to all US adults who travel to countries where chikungunya could be an issue.However, it was last month when a panel of vaccine experts who advice CDC heard about an investigation into 6 people who are 65 and older, most with pre-existing medical conditions, who became ill with heart or brain symptoms in less than a week after being vaccinated. More than 10 other such cases have been reported in people from other countries too.What Happens From A Chikungunya Vaccine?Chikungunya vaccine is alive injection that is used to prevent infection caused by the chikungunya virus. The vaccine works by causing your body to produce antibodies against the disease.Why people with pre-existing medical condition may undergo other health symptoms after the vaccine is administered? There may be due to drug interaction. Anyone with pre-existing health condition may already be prescribed certain medications, which may interact with the ones injected from the vaccine.The vaccine is also capable of causing severe or prolonged chikungunya-like reaction as it consists the weakened virus of the same diseases.What Are The Common Side Effects Of The Vaccine?There are certain side effects of the vaccine which may happen to anyone who has taken it, they include:Difficulty in movingFeverJoint PainMuscle pain or stiffnessSome of the side effects which are not that common include:Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feetBurning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensationsRapid weight gainTingling of the hands or feetUnsteadiness or awkwardnessUnusual weight gain or lossWeakness in the arms, legs, or feetThere are other side effects too, which are often not intensely known, they include:Blurred visionComaConfusionDecreased urine outputdizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting positionfaintingfast or irregular heartbeatheadacheincreased thirstmuscle crampsseizuressweatingswelling of the face, ankles, or handsswollen jointstrouble breathingunusual tiredness or weaknessWhile some side effects may occur, they usually do not need medical attention. However, if you are on any other medication, a strong drug, then you may need to be put under supervision to see how the drug reacts with your body's immune system.