Chikungunya Vaccination

About this service

Chikungunya is a viral illness spread by mosquitoes that bite mainly during the day, which makes it harder to avoid than the mosquitoes that carry malaria. If you are travelling to affected parts of Africa, Asia, the Indian Ocean islands, the Caribbean or Central and South America, our Berkeley travel clinic can advise you on the risks and, where it is suitable for you, offer chikungunya vaccination after a full travel health risk assessment.

We do not vaccinate without first understanding your trip. Our pharmacist will look at where you are going, how long for, what you will be doing and your own health, and give you honest advice on whether this vaccine is appropriate for you. We welcome travellers from across Gloucestershire, including Dursley, Cam, Thornbury and the surrounding villages, and we can usually plan your chikungunya jab alongside any other travel vaccinations you need.

What chikungunya is

Chikungunya is a viral illness spread by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, which bite mainly during the day. It causes sudden fever and severe joint pain, often with headache, muscle pain, tiredness and rash. The joint pain can persist for months in some people, which is what makes the illness so disruptive.

There is no specific antiviral treatment, so prevention is through mosquito bite avoidance and, for some travellers, vaccination. Risk areas include parts of sub-Saharan Africa, South and South East Asia, the Indian Ocean islands, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Vaccination is considered for travellers at higher risk, for example longer stays, outbreak areas, rural travel or people with underlying joint or heart conditions.

Who this service is for

How it works

A simple, consistent process for every service at Berkeley Pharmacy.

What to expect at your appointment

Your appointment begins with a full travel health risk assessment covering your destination, dates, itinerary and activities, along with your medical and vaccination history. We then discuss which vaccinations are appropriate for your trip.

• The vaccine is given as an injection into the upper arm
• A short wait afterwards in the pharmacy
• A record of your vaccination to keep
• With your consent, a note to your GP

Aftercare and safety

A sore arm, mild headache, tiredness, muscle or joint aches and a mild fever for a day or two are common and settle on their own. Most people feel completely normal within a few days.

• Bite avoidance is still essential because the same mosquitoes carry dengue and Zika
• Use repellent containing DEET, cover up at dawn and during the day, and use a treated net where needed
• Contact us or NHS 111 if you feel unwell after travelling and always mention where you have been

Frequently asked questions

How we can supply treatment without a GP appointment

Some treatments at Berkeley Pharmacy are supplied under a Patient Group Direction, or PGD – a written instruction, signed by a doctor and a pharmacist, that legally allows our trained pharmacists to supply and administer specified medicines to people who meet defined clinical criteria, without a prescription from your GP. If you do not meet the criteria set out in the PGD we cannot supply the treatment, and we will explain why and advise you on the best next step. Our pharmacists also work as independent prescribers where that is appropriate.

Serving Berkeley and the surrounding Gloucestershire villages

Berkeley Pharmacy is on Market Place in the centre of Berkeley, with easy access from junctions 13 and 14 of the M5. We welcome patients from Berkeley, Sharpness, Newport, Berkeley Heath, Alkington, Ham, Stone and Rockhampton, and we are a short drive from Cam, Dursley, Slimbridge, Cambridge, Falfield, Charfield, Tortworth, Cromhall, Oldbury-on-Severn, Wotton-under-Edge, Thornbury, Frampton on Severn and Stonehouse. Patients also travel to us from Stroud, Nailsworth, Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Tetbury and Gloucester.

• Berkeley
• Sharpness
• Newport
• Berkeley Heath
• Alkington
• Ham
• Stone
• Rockhampton
• Cam
• Dursley
• Slimbridge
• Cambridge
• Falfield
• Charfield
• Tortworth
• Cromhall
• Oldbury-on-Severn
• Wotton-under-Edge
• Thornbury
• Frampton on Severn
• Stonehouse
• Stroud
• Nailsworth
• Yate
• Chipping Sodbury
• Tetbury
• Gloucester

Safe, regulated care from your local pharmacy team

• Berkeley Pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. You can check any pharmacy or pharmacist on the GPhC register at pharmacyregulation.org.
• Every consultation is face to face and private, in our dedicated consultation room – not an online questionnaire.
• Serving the Berkeley community for over 25 years.
• This service does not replace care from your GP. With your consent we will inform your GP of any treatment provided. If you are unwell, have new or worsening symptoms, or need urgent care, contact your GP or NHS 111, and in an emergency call 999.
• If you experience a side effect from any medicine you can report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Page last reviewed: September 2026. Next review due: September 2027.

Related services

Other services you may be interested in at Berkeley Pharmacy.

Speak to our pharmacy team about chikungunya vaccination

Visit us in Berkeley or get in touch to arrange a private consultation with our pharmacist.

Book a consultation Call 01453 810316

Address

14 Market Place, Berkeley, GL13 9BB

Opening hours

Mon–Fri 9am–6pm (closed 1–2pm)

Sat 9am–1pm

Sun Closed