Patient Leaflet Updated 23-Apr-2026 | Bavarian Nordic UK Ltd
Vimkunya - 40 micrograms protein - Suspension for injection
VIMKUNYA suspension for injection in pre-filled syringe
Chikungunya vaccine (recombinant, adsorbed)
▼This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get. See the end of section 4 for how to report side effects.
1. What VIMKUNYA is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you receive VIMKUNYA
3. How VIMKUNYA is given
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store VIMKUNYA
6. Contents of the pack and other information
VIMKUNYA is a vaccine used to prevent disease caused by the chikungunya virus in people 12 years of age and older.
VIMKUNYA is a vaccine that contains part of the ‘outer coating’ of the chikungunya virus. This ‘outer coating’ is not infectious and cannot cause chikungunya disease but teaches the immune system (the body’s natural defences) how to protect itself against the virus that causes chikungunya disease.
Chikungunya disease is caused by the chikungunya virus, which is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The disease is found in countries across Asia, Africa and the subtropical regions of the Americas. Most people infected with the virus develop fever, rash, and severe pain in multiple joints that typically resolve between one to two weeks, but symptoms may last for months or years.
You should not receive VIMKUNYA if you are allergic to the active substance or any of the other ingredients of this vaccine (listed in section 6).
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before you are given VIMKUNYA if:
VIMKUNYA is not for use in children under 12 years of age. There is no information available on the use of VIMKUNYA in this age group.
Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines or vaccines.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before you receive this vaccine.
Some of the possible side effects of VIMKUNYA listed in section 4 of this leaflet may temporarily reduce your ability to drive or use machines. Wait until any effects of the vaccine have worn off before you drive or use machines.
This vaccine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
This vaccine contains less than 1 mmol (39 mg) potassium per dose, that is to say essentially ‘potassium-free’.
VIMKUNYA is given as a single injection into the large muscle of the upper arm. It is best to get the injection in the non-dominant arm.
If you have any further questions on the use of this vaccine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Like all medicines, this vaccine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Seek urgent medical attention if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction after receiving the vaccine. Symptoms may include:
The following side effects may also occur after receiving this vaccine:
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1 000 people)
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this vaccine out of the sight and reach of children.
Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse is responsible for storing this medicine and disposing of any unused product correctly. The following information is intended for healthcare professionals.
Do not use this vaccine after the expiry date which is stated on the label after EXP.
Store in a refrigerator (2 °C to 8 °C). Do not freeze. Keep the syringe in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
In-use stability data indicate that the vaccine is stable for 4 hours when stored at temperatures from 8 °C to 25 °C and for at least 24 hours when stored at 0 °C to 2 °C. After this time, the vaccine must be discarded.
Do not throw away any vaccines via wastewater or household waste. Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse will dispose of this vaccine. These measures will help protect the environment.
Each 0.8 ml dose contains 40 micrograms protein of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) virus-like particles1,2 adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide, hydrated.
1produced in human embryonic kidney cells by recombinant DNA technology
2derived from CHIKV Senegal strain 37997 consisting of CHIKV capsid protein (C) and envelope proteins E1 and E2.
Aluminium hydroxide, hydrated containing per 0.8 ml dose: approximately 300 micrograms Al3+.
Aluminium hydroxide, hydrated is included in the vaccine as an adsorbent. Adsorbents are substances included in certain vaccines to accelerate, improve and/or prolong the protective effects of the vaccine.
The other ingredients (excipients) are: sucrose, dipotassium phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium citrate, and water for injections.
See Section 2 “the vaccine contains sodium and potassium”.
1 dose of VIMKUNYA suspension for injection contains 0.8 ml.
Pack size: 1 single-dose pre-filled syringe.
Prior to shaking, the vaccine is a clear liquid with white precipitate.
This leaflet was last revised in March 2026.
Other sources of information
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the MHRA web site: https://www.mhra.gov.uk
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