Sri Lanka, Aug. 25 -- US health authorities have suspended the licence for the Ixchiq vaccine against the chikungunya virus following reports of "serious adverse events", the drug's French maker said on Monday (Aug 25).

Ixchiq is one of just two vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the mosquito-spread virus, which mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions but has recently been discovered in countries worldwide.

French company Valneva obtained US approval for the vaccine in 2023, but reports of side effects have prompted reviews, in particular over its use in older patients, including by the European Medicines Agency this year.

"The suspension of the licence is effective immediately," Valneva said of the ...