Science Friday Why Don’t We Have A Vaccine For Lyme Disease?
Jul 18, 2025
In this discussion, Dr. Linden Hu, a Tufts University immunologist and Lyme disease expert, reveals why humans still lack a Lyme disease vaccine while dogs can get vaccinated. He addresses the environmental drivers behind rising Lyme cases and the hurdles researchers face in developing a human vaccine. The conversation also highlights the complexities of chronic Lyme disease and the need for better diagnostics. Hu shares innovative strategies aimed at combating this tick-borne illness, fostering optimism for future solutions.
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The Lyme Vaccine Story
- There was a human Lyme disease vaccine approved in 1998 but it was pulled due to low sales and safety concerns, not because it caused arthritis.
- A similar new vaccine is in phase three trials, aiming for FDA review by 2027 with promising early results.
Unique Lyme Vaccine Mechanism
- The Lyme vaccine targets a protein expressed only when the bacteria is inside the tick, allowing antibodies to kill it before infection.
- This mechanism differs from typical vaccines since antibodies must enter the tick during feeding to prevent Lyme disease.
Maintain Lyme Vaccine Antibody Levels
- To be protected by the Lyme vaccine, you need high antibody levels at tick bite time because the vaccine's protection wanes without frequent boosters.
- Original vaccines required annual boosters; it's unclear if new vaccines will need the same schedule.