ACT-CHIK: Accelerating Clinical Trials for Chikungunya Vaccine in Africa
🎯 ACT-CHIK Project Overview
ACT-CHIK is a multinational research initiative strengthening Africa’s preparedness against chikungunya through vaccine research, clinical trials, and capacity building. Chikungunya is an emerging mosquito-borne disease affecting millions of people worldwide and poses a growing public health challenge in many regions.
Building on promising results from Phase I and Phase II studies of the MV-CHIK vaccine candidate, the ACT-CHIK project aims to achieve three strategic goals to address chikungunya as a public health concern in Africa.
Funding & Support
The ACT-CHIK project is supported by Global Health EDCTP3 and its participating members. It is funded by the European Union under the Global Health EDCTP3 programme.
Project Strategic Goals
Building on Phase I and Phase II studies of the MV-CHIK vaccine candidate, ACT-CHIK defines three strategic goals to strengthen chikungunya prevention and control in Africa.
1. Conduct a large clinical trial to confirm that the MV-CHIK vaccine is safe and triggers a strong immune response in adults, adolescents, and children across Senegal, Rwanda, Kenya, and Nigeria, helping ensure it works well in diverse populations.
2. Prepare for the transfer of the MV-CHIK vaccine technology to Africa by assessing readiness, identifying gaps, and supporting vaccine manufacturing and clinical assay set-up at Institut Pasteur de Dakar.
3. Support approval of the vaccine by African health regulators and the World Health Organization (WHO) so it can be used widely across Africa.
🎯 Project Focus Areas
ACT-CHIK advances chikungunya vaccine development and preparedness through six interconnected areas of action.
1. Project Coordination & Management
Ensuring effective overall coordination, governance, and smooth implementation of all project activities across partners.
2. Clinical Trial Sponsor, Capacity Building & Training
Supporting clinical trial sponsorship, strengthening research capacity, and training researchers and study teams in Africa and Europe.
3. Clinical Trial Conduct in Africa
Implementing and managing chikungunya vaccine clinical trials across selected African study sites in compliance with regulatory and ethical standards.
4. MV-CHIK Vaccine Manufacturing & Clinical Assays
Supporting MV chikungunya vaccine production processes and conducting laboratory assays to ensure safety, quality, and scientific validity.
5. Scientific Project Leadership
Providing scientific oversight, guidance, and strategic leadership to ensure high-quality research design and execution across all work packages.
6. Dissemination, Communication & Exploitation
Sharing project results with scientific communities, stakeholders, and the public, and promoting the use and impact of findings.
IMPACT
Chikungunya is an emerging mosquito-borne disease affecting millions globally, with increasing outbreaks in Africa and beyond. ACT-CHIK will help prepare Africa for future chikungunya outbreaks by supporting vaccine development, strengthening clinical trial capacity, improving laboratory infrastructure, and expanding regulatory readiness.
🤝 Consortium Partners
ACT-CHIK brings together seven partner institutions across four continents, combining expertise in vaccine development, clinical research, manufacturing, and public health to strengthen preparedness against chikungunya.
ACT-CHIK Consortium Kick-off Meeting, Kigali
All consortium partners convened at the University of Rwanda for the official launch of the Accelerating Clinical Trials for Chikungunya Vaccine in Africa (ACT-CHIK) project. Kigali, Rwanda • 8–10 June 2026
Latest News & Updates
Stay informed on key milestones, events, and progress updates from the ACT-CHIK consortium.
ACT-CHIK Consortium Kick-off Meeting, Kigali
The ACT-CHIK consortium officially launched its activities during the Kick-off Meeting held at the University of Rwanda in Kigali. All consortium partners convened to align on project objectives, implementation plans, and collaborative strategies for advancing chikungunya vaccine clinical trials in Africa.
📍 Kigali, Rwanda
📅 8–10 June 2026