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It's Time To Bring Back Lyme Disease Vaccines

by Jennifer Smith August 23, 2018

More than 1500 cases of Lyme Disease in Canada were reported to the Ministry of Health last year; and more cases are on the rise. With the growing concern over Lyme Disease, patients ask "Why are we not bringing back a Lyme Disease vaccine?" After all, there is a Lyme Disease vaccine for pets.

The late 1990s showed promise for a Lyme Disease vaccine called LYMErix until lawsuits arose and sales diminished. After taking LYMErix, patients claimed to develop neurological problems including arthritis; but after study of the medication by the FDA, there wasn't a known link. Nevertheless, sales dropped and the brand fizzled away.

"What made LYMErix unique was that it worked not by triggering antibodies in vaccine recipients, but by neutralizing the disease-causing bacteria within the tick itself." (CTV News)

Now a European vaccine maker is hoping to revive the Lyme Disease medicine with phase II underway of "VLA15." If all goes as planned, the drug will be on the market in five years. Until then, we must educate ourselves and others about tick disease prevention.