Valneva Launches Brazil Pilot for Chikungunya Vaccine IXCHIQ® with 500,000 Doses Donated

Event summary

  • Valneva and Instituto Butantan initiated a pilot vaccination campaign in Brazil for IXCHIQ®, the world's first approved chikungunya vaccine in an endemic country.
  • Up to 500,000 doses of IXCHIQ® will be donated to the Brazilian Ministry of Health for the program targeting 10 municipalities.
  • The pilot aims to achieve 20-40% vaccine coverage among adults aged 18-59 in selected regions.
  • IXCHIQ® received marketing approval in Brazil in April 2025, marking its first regulatory authorization.

The big picture

This pilot campaign represents a strategic milestone for Valneva's IXCHIQ®, leveraging Brazil's high chikungunya burden to generate real-world evidence that could accelerate global adoption. The collaboration with Instituto Butantan and support from CEPI underscores the growing emphasis on epidemic preparedness, particularly for mosquito-borne diseases exacerbated by climate change. With over one million cases reported in Brazil since 2019, the program's success could validate the vaccine's public health value and drive demand in other endemic regions.

What we're watching

Regulatory Success
Whether the real-world data from this pilot will support broader regulatory approvals in other endemic regions.
Operational Scaling
The pace at which Valneva and Instituto Butantan can expand manufacturing and distribution capacity for IXCHIQ®.
Market Expansion
How this pilot campaign positions IXCHIQ® for potential inclusion in national immunization programs beyond Brazil.

Related topics

Public Health