Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an advisory urging American travellers over the age of 60 years to avoid the Chikungunya vaccine, Valneva's 'Ixchiq'. Health authorities had earlier asked the elderly to take these shots in the wake of Chikungunya outbreaks in the islands of the Indian Ocean. However, last week, they stated 17 serious adverse events, including two deaths, which were reported in recipients of the vaccine IXCHIQ over the age of 60 worldwide, and asked the elderly to refrain from using the vaccines. "CDC and FDA recently investigated five hospitalisations for cardiac or neurologic events following vaccination with IXCHIQ among older people. We are also aware of additional reports of serious adverse events among people aged 62 to 89 years following the use of IXCHIQ in other countries. CDC and FDA advise the live-attenuated vaccine should not be used among people 60 years and older until these additional reports are further investigated," the CDC mentioned on their website.Chikungunya Surge In Indian Ocean IslandsFrance's Departments of La Reunion and Mayotte have reported chikungunya outbreaks. La Reunion has reported over 47,000 cases and 12 associated deaths as of May 4 this year. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the cases are expected to rise in the region. In the wake of the same, health authorities have asked travellers and pregnant women to avoid or reconsider travelling to those regions. What Is Chikungunya?Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus. Symptoms of the disease include fever and joint pain. The risk of a person spreading the virus is highest during the first week of illness. The European Union's health regulator is currently reviewing Valneva's chikungunya vaccine after reports of serious adverse events, including two deaths globally. The European Medicines Agency's safety committee has temporarily suspended the use of the vaccine-Ixchiq, in adults aged 65 years and above.Chikungunya Vaccine Under InvestigationIxchiq is the first preventive vaccine against the chikungunya virus authorised in Europe and the US. While the adverse effects of this jab is still not fully revealed, the deaths of two adults aged 62 and 89 years have raised alarm. However, the exact link between the vaccine and the death is being determined by the health officials. At present, the French government has suspended the use of the vaccine pending investigation after adverse events were reported as well. Meanwhile, the US advisors have recommended the second chikungunya vaccine, Bavarian Nordic's Vimkunya, to those above 12 years of age.