The Vaccines Beat Webinar on Chikungunya, held on May 7, 2025, brought together leading experts to discuss the evolving landscape of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) transmission, prevention, and vaccine development. The session, titled “Understanding and Mitigating Risk in a Changing Landscape”, featured a distinguished panel:
- Dr. Rebecca C. Christofferson, Associate Professor at LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine, specializing in vector-borne and zoonotic diseases.
- Dr. Aileen Chang, Associate Professor of Medicine and Microbiology at George Washington University, with expertise in clinical translational arboviral research.
- Dr. Enrique Chacon-Cruz, Pediatric Infectious Diseases specialist and CEO of Think Vaccines, LLC, with extensive experience in vaccine-preventable diseases.
- Dr. Javier Casellas, Pediatrician and Global Medical Director at IQVIA, specializing in vaccine clinical research and medical affairs.
- Felicitas Colombo, Director of Government and Public Affairs at the Americas Health Foundation, focusing on regulatory and policy analysis.
The webinar addressed several critical topics:
- Current Epidemiology: An overview of CHIKV transmission patterns, highlighting recent outbreaks and the global spread of the virus.
- Vaccine Development: Insights into the progress of CHIKV vaccine candidates, including the licensing of the live attenuated vaccine IXCHIQ by the U.S. FDA in 2023.
- Public Health Strategies: Discussion on vector control measures, community engagement, and the role of vaccination in preventing CHIKV transmission.
- Policy and Advocacy: Strategies for enhancing public health policies to support CHIKV prevention and control efforts.
vaccinesbeat.org
The session underscored the importance of a multi-faceted approach, combining scientific research, public health initiatives, and policy development, to combat chikungunya virus effectively.
For more detailed information and resources from the webinar, please visit the Vaccines Beat Webinar on Chikungunya page.
