Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Vimkunya
What VIMKUNYA is used for:
VIMKUNYA is a vaccine for intramuscular injection for use in individuals 12 years of age an older to help protect against chikungunya virus (CHIKV).
How VIMKUNYA works:
VIMKUNYA stimulates your immune system to make substances known as antibodies which fight the chikungunya virus. If a vaccinated person comes into contact with chikungunya virus their body can fight off the virus. Following a single intramuscular dose of VIMKUNYA, it usually takes between 1 to 2 weeks to be protected against chikungunya virus. As with all vaccines, 100% protection is not guaranteed.
The ingredients in VIMKUNYA are:
Medicinal ingredient(s): chikungunya virus virus-like particles.
Nonmedicinal ingredients: Potassium Phosphate Dibasic, Potassium Phosphate Monobasic, Sodium Citrate, Sucrose, Water for Injection.
Adjuvant: Aluminum Hydroxide.
VIMKUNYA comes in the following dosage form:
VIMKUNYA, chikungunya vaccine, recombinant, is a sterile, preservative-free suspension for intramuscular injection in a pre-filled syringe. Each 0.8 mL dose of the vaccine contains 40 mcg CHIKV VLPs adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide.
Do not use VIMUKUNYA if:
- you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the vaccine (see “the ingredients in VIMKUNYA are” above)
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take VIMKUNYA. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- Have had an allergic reaction to a component of VIMKUNYA.
- Have a bleeding disorder or a reduction in blood platelets, which increases risk of bleeding or bruising (thrombocytopenia) and cannot receive injections in the arm.
- Have a weakened immune system, for example, due to a genetic defect, HIV infection, or certain medications such as cancer treatment.
- Currently have any illness with a fever of more than 38.0 °C.
Other warnings you should know about:
- As with all injectable vaccines, appropriate medical treatment and supervision should always be available to treat possible anaphylactic reactions following administration of the vaccine.
- VIMKUNYA must never be injected into a vein or any blood vessel.
- As with any other vaccine, vaccination with VIMKUNYA may not result in protection in all people.
- Like other intramuscular injections, this vaccine should not be administered to persons with thrombocytopenia, hemophilia, or other bleeding disorders.
- Fainting can occur following, or even before, any needle injection. Therefore, tell your doctor or nurse if you fainted with a previous injection.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
Serious drug interactions: the interactions with other drugs or other vaccines have not been established.
How to take VIMKUNYA:
- VIMKUNYA is given by a healthcare professional in a healthcare setting. It is given as an injection in the upper arm muscle in individuals 12 years of age and older.
- You should consult your health care provider on the duration of protection of VIMKUNYA prior to potential re-exposure to CHIKV.
- You should still protect yourself from mosquito bites even if you have received the VIMKUNYA vaccine.
- VIMKUNYA does not protect against other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes.
Usual dose:
VIMKUNYA is given as a single injection in the upper arm muscle.
Overdose:
There are no reported cases of overdose with VIMKUNYA.
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much VIMKUNYA, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.
Possible side effects from using VIMKUNYA:
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking VIMKUNYA. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
The most common side effects are fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. Chills, joint pain, malaise, and nausea may also occur. The most common injection site reaction is injection site pain.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking the/this drug (if applicable) and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| Rare | |||
| Difficulty breathing | X | X | |
| Hoarseness or wheezing | X | X | |
| Hives | X | X | |
| Dizziness | X | X | |
| Weakness | X | X | |
| Fast heartbeat | X | X | |
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting suspected side effects for vaccines
For the general public: Should you experience a side effect following immunization, please report it to your healthcare professional.
Should you require information related to the management of the side effect, please contact your healthcare professional. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Health Canada (HC), and Bavarian Nordic A/S cannot provide medical advice.
For healthcare professionals: If a patient experiences a side effect following immunization, please complete the Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) Form appropriate for your province/territory (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization/reporting-adverse-events-following-immunization/form.html) and send it to your local Health Unit.
Storage:
Store in a refrigerator at 2 °C to 8 °C. DO NOT FREEZE. Do not use the vaccine after the expiration date shown on the syringe label. Protect from light. Store in the original package.
Shake vigorously immediately before use. Use within 2 hours after removal of vaccine from refrigerator.
The pre-filled syringe is for single use only. Discard syringe after use.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about VIMKUNYA:
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website http://www.bavarian-nordic.ca; or contact medical.information_NA@bavarian-nordic.com or by calling 1-833-203-7933.
Date of Authorization: 2026-06-26