While a Lyme vaccine for dogs has been available since 2009, there is still no vaccine available for humans.

The Nobivac Lyme vaccine for dogs went on the market in 2009.  This vaccine is recommended for dogs, which are at high infection risk.  That means dogs, who live in areas with large deer tick populations, like Central Massachusetts.  While Merck’s studies show the vaccine to be more than 99% safe, pet owners are still uncertain about allowing their dogs to get it.  Will we be receptive to a Lyme disease vaccine for humans?  When can we expect to see a Lyme vaccine?

The Lyme vaccine that was

A Lyme vaccine for humans was introduced in the late 1990’s, but was pulled from the market after only three years.  The vaccine was surrounded with uncertainty.  How long would it last?  Would we require a yearly booster?  Add to that, this Lyme vaccine had to be given with a series of shots over a one-year period before immunity was achieved.  There were also questionable side effects.

Lyme vaccine update for 2020

Traditional vaccine approach underway
In 2017, the FDA fast-tracked Lyme vaccine trials by French biotech company, Valneva.  Phase one of their clinical trials showed promising results for efficacy and safety.  Joined by pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer in 2020, they are now co-developing the vaccine.  Phase two trials are underway now in North America and Europe.  This phase is expected to be completed any time, and results released within a few months.

A new method of Lyme prevention is in the works
Vaccines work when proteins from the disease-causing agents are introduced to patients.  This triggers the body to begin producing an immune response by making antibodies to fight the disease.  One problem with this method is the time it takes for the human body to develop immunity.  Is a new approach the better answer for Lyme disease prevention?

Mark S. Klempner, MD, executive vice chancellor for MassBiologics and professor of medicine at University of Massachusetts Medical School, thinks so.  He is currently working to develop a method, which delivers an anti-Lyme antibody directly to the patient.  This eliminates the need for the lengthy response required for the body to build antibodies.  He says, “Unlike a vaccine, Lyme PrEP uses a single human antibody, or blood protein, to kill the bacteria in the tick’s gut while it takes its blood drink, before the bacteria can get into the human host.”   Dr. Klempner’s Lyme prevention would be a once-yearly injection.  This method of protection has show early promise, with a 100% success rate in mice.  Phase one clinical trials are set to begin late in 2020, with phases two and three following through 2022.

Lyme prevention in 2020

Lyme disease prevention remains a non-clinical approach.  This means using tick protection when you are outdoors, and protecting your property with professional tick control barrier spray.  Reputable Central Mass tick control companies can provide tick protection all year long.  This means barrier tick sprays every couple of weeks from springtime through fall.  Then, using tick tubes in the fall and winter.  Not only will barrier spray eliminate up to 95% of the ticks in your yard, but tick tubes will break their life cycle to decrease the number of ticks that emerge in the spring.

Also read: Is Lyme disease only from ticks?