- The new Lyme disease vaccine produced antibodies that lasted at most 6 months.
- Pfizer and French biotech company Valneva are creating the vaccine.
- If Valneva and Pfizer approve the vaccine, it will become the first in its class within 20 years.
Valneva, a French manufacturer of vaccines, and Pfizer Have been announced that companies’ vaccine for Lyme disease has produced lasting immunity in a follow up to a phase 2 safety trial.
Phase 2 of the trial In April 2022, it was completedSix months later, the companies tested the antibody levels of both children and adults who had received two or three doses of the vaccine. The three-shot group had higher antibody levels than the two shot group. Although these antibody levels decreased over time, they still showed some protection against Lyme Disease. Companies didn’t report any side effects or safety issues and are currently in phase 3 clinical trials.
Lyme disease is a serious condition. bacterial illnessSpread by tick bites. The hallmark symptomA rash that looks like a bulls eye around the area bitten. However, symptoms may include headaches, fevers, chills and joint pain. If it isn’t treated quickly, it can cause carditis—swelling of the heart—or arthritis. A condition known as Carditis, which can cause symptoms to persist for long periods of time even after treatment is completed. Lyme Disease Syndrome after treatment.
Lyme vaccine was taken off the market twenty years ago
Lyme disease vaccines have been approved by the FDA. GSK—then called SmithKline Beecham—made a Lyme vaccine that was approved by the FDA in 1998. It was called LYMErix. After three shots it was 75% effective at preventing Lyme.
However, The timeBecause the disease was not easily treated in its early stages, the CDC didn’t recommend it. Patients were also reluctant to receive the vaccine as they found it difficult to follow the dose schedule. It was also not approved for children since it hadn’t been tested in this population.
After severe side effects were reported by patients, it was taken off the market in 2002. arthritis and filed a class action lawsuit. LYMErix was not spared by the FDA and CDC. GSK withdrew this drug from the market because of the dramatic drop in sales.
Pfizer and Valneva are hopeful that the new Lyme virus vaccine will get a better reception from the public. The companies hope to receive FDA approval for the vaccine by 2025 if the results of the phase 3 studies are positive.
Lyme disease is an increasing problem
Since 2002 Lyme disease is a much greater concern. According to the CDC About 30,000 cases This number is reported annually, but the agency claims that it may be lower due to undercounting. This is in comparison to approximately 24,000 cases. Reported in 2002. A Study Data from private insurance claims shows that Lyme disease was diagnosed in approximately 476,000 people between 2010 and 2018.
In 2022, an estimate of a study showed that 15% of the global populationLyme disease is a condition that has been diagnosed in a number of people at different times during their lives.
One theoryThe rise in Lyme disease prevalence in the American Northeast is due to the spread of patchy forests. This leads to more of a certain type of mouse, which is a reservoir for Lyme-causing bacteria. Climate change is also increasing the number of disease-carrying ticks. Warmer temperatures can accelerate the tick life cycle and make winters more bearable.
