FDA approves world's 1st chikungunya vaccine

Female mosquitoes in the species Aedes aegypti (pictured) can carry chikungunya virus and spread it to people. (Image credit: Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / James Gathany. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images))

The world's first vaccine to protect against chikungunya virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, was just approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Infection with chikungunya virus can lead to severe disease and prolonged health problems, particularly for older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions," Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in the agency's announcement.