Should we be afraid of the vaccine? | EUROtoday

On May 3, 2025

Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.

LA gathering has skilled an epidemic scenario since January 13, 2025, with almost 40,000 instances recognized. Blood analyzes of the inhabitants recommend that a minimum of 20 % of Reunionese are contaminated, some with out signs. This wave, though appreciable, stays much less vital than the historic epidemic of 2005, which had affected 40 % of the inhabitants. In early April, the well being authorities launched, for the primary time on this planet in an epidemic interval, a vaccination marketing campaign for the over 65s. Everything has simply been all of a sudden interrupted.

Should the vaccine be accused?

This choice comes after the looks of three “serious undesirable events” together with a loss of life. These sufferers have developed signs much like these of a severe chikungunya kind a number of days after receiving the IXCHIQ vaccine from the Valneva laboratory. The Ministry of Health mentioned that “The causal link with the vaccine seems very likely in view of the symptoms, their time of appearance and biological results”. The age of vaccinated folks and the composition of the vaccine may clarify this hyperlink. Using a traditional method, it accommodates an attenuated residing virus. “However, this type of vaccine has risks for certain populations, such as immunocompromised and, to a lesser extent, the elderly. The aging immune system produces more antibodies-interferon, increasing the risk of serious form of infections but also undesirable reactions with the alive attenuated vaccine ”, explains Jean-Daniel Lelièvre, infectiologist at Henri-Mondor Hospital (AP-HP). This identical drawback exists for the yellow fever vaccine, not beneficial for over 60s, until completely obligatory.

How to guard your self?

Apart from demoustication measures or using repulsive merchandise, the Valneva vaccine stays beneficial for adults underneath the age of 60. For pregnant ladies, aged or immunocompromised folks, different vaccines based mostly on viral proteins will quickly arrive.

By dint of being monitored, the an infection could show extra severe than anticipated.Anna-Bella failloux (Institut Pasteur)

Is an infection deadly?

It typically causes joint harm, generally persistent. Rarely deadly, neurological types primarily have an effect on the aged – therefore the selection to vaccinate them as a precedence – or immunocompromised folks. The case of the loss of life of a new child is at the moment studied. “By dint of being monitored, the infection may prove more serious than expected. This has already occurred with Zika, another disease linked to mosquitoes. Before the great epidemic of 2015 in Brazil, the microcephalies of the newborns caused by the infection had gone unnoticed ”, explains Anna-Bella Failloux, of the Pasteur Institute.

Does the virus threaten other departments?

To uncover

The kangaroo of the day

Answer

The every day flights of Reunion to the Metropolis probably carry contaminated vacationers. If mosquito-tigers sting them, indigenous instances could seem, elevating fears of a primary epidemic. Europe has already recognized two outbreaks in Italy (in 2007 and 2017).

Where is the chance in mainland France?

The danger in mainland France corresponds to the presence card of the mosquito (Aedes Albopictus), Vector of chikungunya, dengue and zika. Almost absent in 2004, it’s now situated in 78 departments, with notably infested Mediterranean areas and due to this fact extra in danger.

https://www.lepoint.fr/sciences-nature/chikungunya-faut-il-avoir-peur-du-vaccin-03-05-2025-2588765_1924.php