Chikungunya Vaccine in London
Travelling to an outbreak area or planning repeated trips to the tropics? Get chikungunya vaccine advice and vaccination at our London travel clinic.
Planning around chikungunya risk
Trips to India, Brazil, the Caribbean or parts of South East Asia can now raise a very practical vaccine question. Chikungunya is spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes, and outbreaks move around. City Of London Clinic in London can assess your itinerary, length of stay, age and medical history, then advise whether chikungunya vaccination belongs on your travel plan. This page explains what the infection does, who may be offered the vaccine, and when to book.
Trips to India, Brazil, the Caribbean or parts of South East Asia can now raise a very practical vaccine question. Chikungunya is spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes, and outbreaks move around. City Of London Clinic in London can assess your itinerary, length of stay, age and medical history, then advise whether chikungunya vaccination belongs on your travel plan. This page explains what the infection does, who may be offered the vaccine, and when to book.
A mosquito-borne virus that can leave joints aching for months
Chikungunya is a viral infection passed on mainly by Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. These mosquitoes bite during the day, with busy periods often around mid-morning and from late afternoon towards twilight. They breed close to people, including in small containers of standing water around homes, hotels and urban neighbourhoods. Symptoms usually start about four to eight days after an infected bite, although this can vary. Fever often comes on quickly. Joint pain can be the standout symptom, especially in the wrists, hands, ankles and other smaller joints. Headache, muscle aches, rash and sensitivity to light can also occur. Most people recover within one or two weeks. The problem is the tail. Joint pain can persist for months, and occasionally longer, which is not ideal if you are returning to work, caring for children, or already have joint problems. Severe complications are uncommon, but risk is higher in young babies, older adults and people with underlying medical conditions.
Chikungunya is a viral infection passed on mainly by Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. These mosquitoes bite during the day, with busy periods often around mid-morning and from late afternoon towards twilight. They breed close to people, including in small containers of standing water around homes, hotels and urban neighbourhoods. Symptoms usually start about four to eight days after an infected bite, although this can vary. Fever often comes on quickly. Joint pain can be the standout symptom, especially in the wrists, hands, ankles and other smaller joints. Headache, muscle aches, rash and sensitivity to light can also occur. Most people recover within one or two weeks. The problem is the tail. Joint pain can persist for months, and occasionally longer, which is not ideal if you are returning to work, caring for children, or already have joint problems. Severe complications are uncommon, but risk is higher in young babies, older adults and people with underlying medical conditions.
What the chikungunya vaccine can and cannot do
Chikungunya vaccines are now approved for use in the UK, but they are not a blanket recommendation for every tropical trip. Current UK advice says vaccination may be considered for travellers going to regions with active chikungunya outbreaks, long-term or frequent travellers to places where transmission has occurred in recent years, and laboratory staff working with the virus. The vaccines are given as a single injection into a muscle, usually the upper arm. Current guidance includes a non-replicating virus-like particle vaccine that may be used from age 12, and a live attenuated vaccine for immunocompetent adults aged 18 to 59. The live vaccine is currently not advised for older adults, and it is not suitable for some people with immune system problems or a history of thymus disorder. This is exactly why a proper pre-travel assessment matters. Book as early as you can once your route is clear. The need for revaccination has not yet been established. Side effects can include a sore arm, headache, fever, tiredness and muscle or joint aches. Vaccination can reduce risk, but it does not replace mosquito bite avoidance.
Chikungunya vaccines are now approved for use in the UK, but they are not a blanket recommendation for every tropical trip. Current UK advice says vaccination may be considered for travellers going to regions with active chikungunya outbreaks, long-term or frequent travellers to places where transmission has occurred in recent years, and laboratory staff working with the virus. The vaccines are given as a single injection into a muscle, usually the upper arm. Current guidance includes a non-replicating virus-like particle vaccine that may be used from age 12, and a live attenuated vaccine for immunocompetent adults aged 18 to 59. The live vaccine is currently not advised for older adults, and it is not suitable for some people with immune system problems or a history of thymus disorder. This is exactly why a proper pre-travel assessment matters. Book as early as you can once your route is clear. The need for revaccination has not yet been established. Side effects can include a sore arm, headache, fever, tiredness and muscle or joint aches. Vaccination can reduce risk, but it does not replace mosquito bite avoidance.
Places where chikungunya comes into the conversation
Chikungunya occurs in tropical and subtropical parts of the world, and outbreaks can appear in places that have had little recent activity. Risk has been reported across parts of Asia and Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, the Pacific islands, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Recent UK travel-associated cases have most often involved travel to India, with cases also linked to Pakistan and Brazil. Season matters. Outbreaks in tropical countries often increase during or after rainy periods, when mosquito numbers rise. Urban stays are not automatically low risk, because Aedes mosquitoes live very close to people and often bite around houses and accommodation. Before vaccination, your clinician should check current country advice as well as your actual route, accommodation and length of stay.
Chikungunya occurs in tropical and subtropical parts of the world, and outbreaks can appear in places that have had little recent activity. Risk has been reported across parts of Asia and Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, the Pacific islands, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Recent UK travel-associated cases have most often involved travel to India, with cases also linked to Pakistan and Brazil. Season matters. Outbreaks in tropical countries often increase during or after rainy periods, when mosquito numbers rise. Urban stays are not automatically low risk, because Aedes mosquitoes live very close to people and often bite around houses and accommodation. Before vaccination, your clinician should check current country advice as well as your actual route, accommodation and length of stay.
Fit the appointment in while your plans are still flexible
If chikungunya vaccine is relevant for your trip, it is better to discuss it before the final rush of visas, packing and work handovers. The clinic is at 36 Goswell Rd., easy to reach from Farringdon or Moorgate, and appointments run Monday to Saturday. Bring your itinerary, dates, previous vaccine history and any medical details that may affect suitability. To book, call 02072539691 and ask for a travel vaccination appointment.
If chikungunya vaccine is relevant for your trip, it is better to discuss it before the final rush of visas, packing and work handovers. The clinic is at 36 Goswell Rd., easy to reach from Farringdon or Moorgate, and appointments run Monday to Saturday. Bring your itinerary, dates, previous vaccine history and any medical details that may affect suitability. To book, call 02072539691 and ask for a travel vaccination appointment.
FAQ
Travel Health FAQs
Find clear answers to the most common travel health and malaria prevention questions.
Find clear answers to the most common travel health and malaria prevention questions.
How long before travel should I book a chikungunya vaccine appointment?
Book several weeks before you travel if you can, especially if you also need other travel vaccines or malaria advice. If you are travelling sooner, it is still worth being assessed, because the clinician can tell you whether vaccination is appropriate for the time you have left.
Do I need the chikungunya vaccine for India?
Can I have the chikungunya vaccine with other travel vaccines?
Is the chikungunya vaccine suitable for older adults?
What should I do if I am not suitable for chikungunya vaccination?
How long before travel should I book a chikungunya vaccine appointment?
Book several weeks before you travel if you can, especially if you also need other travel vaccines or malaria advice. If you are travelling sooner, it is still worth being assessed, because the clinician can tell you whether vaccination is appropriate for the time you have left.
Do I need the chikungunya vaccine for India?
Can I have the chikungunya vaccine with other travel vaccines?
Is the chikungunya vaccine suitable for older adults?
What should I do if I am not suitable for chikungunya vaccination?
Speak to the team or arrange your visit
If you are comparing clinics or unsure which service you need, we are happy to help. Call the clinic, send us a message or visit us on Goswell Road to speak with the team.
We are easy to reach from the City of London, Farringdon, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, King’s Cross and surrounding central London areas.
CoL
C
City Of London
Clinic
36 Goswell Rd., Golden Lane Estate, London EC1M 7AA
info@cityoflondonclinic.co.uk
Hours
Monday
9am - 6:30pm
Tuesday
9am - 6:30pm
Wednesday
9am - 6:30pm
Thursday
9am - 6:30pm
Friday
9am - 6:30pm
Saturday
9am - 2pm
Sunday
Closed
Speak to the team or arrange your visit
If you are comparing clinics or unsure which service you need, we are happy to help. Call the clinic, send us a message or visit us on Goswell Road to speak with the team.
We are easy to reach from the City of London, Farringdon, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, King’s Cross and surrounding central London areas.
CoL
C
City Of London
Clinic
36 Goswell Rd., Golden Lane Estate, London EC1M 7AA
info@cityoflondonclinic.co.uk
Hours
Monday
9am - 6:30pm
Tuesday
9am - 6:30pm
Wednesday
9am - 6:30pm
Thursday
9am - 6:30pm
Friday
9am - 6:30pm
Saturday
9am - 2pm
Sunday
Closed
Speak to the team or arrange your visit
If you are comparing clinics or unsure which service you need, we are happy to help. Call the clinic, send us a message or visit us on Goswell Road to speak with the team.
We are easy to reach from the City of London, Farringdon, Moorgate, Liverpool Street, King’s Cross and surrounding central London areas.
36 Goswell Rd., Golden Lane Estate, London EC1M 7AA
info@cityoflondonclinic.co.uk
Hours
Monday
9am - 6:30pm
Tuesday
9am - 6:30pm
Wednesday
9am - 6:30pm
Thursday
9am - 6:30pm
Friday
9am - 6:30pm
Saturday
9am - 2pm
Sunday
Closed
City Of London
Clinic
CoL
C
