LYMErix was reportedly effective at preventing a Lyme disease rash. But the Lyme disease vaccine for humans was only 50% effective at preventing other manifestations of Lyme disease, according to the LYMErix package insert. LYMErix was voluntarily removed from the market due to low demand.
In a survey of 1,015 adults in the U.S., author Matt Motta¹ addresses the question “how likely they are to request to be vaccinated when a Lyme vaccine becomes available for public use?”
The survey findings showed, “Individuals who live in the Northeast, where Lyme is most prevalent, are more likely to intend to vaccinate, while people who place less trust in scientific authorities like the CDC are less likely to do so.”
Survey results, however, don’t guarantee the new Lyme disease vaccine for humans will be embraced by the public, wrote Mott.
He described several reasons why LYMErix, a Lyme disease vaccine for humans was removed from the market:
“Low demand for LYMErix may have arisen from several factors, including its cost and the fact that it must be administered in two or three doses to reach high levels of effectiveness.”
“Misinformation about the vaccine’s safety – including the scientifically disputed claim that it can have adverse autoimmune effects – have also been linked to the vaccine being discontinued.”
Editor’s note:
I was concerned that the vaccine might not prevent chronic manifestations of Lyme disease. I am not sure the question of autoimmune events after the Lyme vaccination were ever resolved.
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References:
- Motta M. Could concern about climate change increase demand for a Lyme disease vaccine in the U.S.? Vaccine. 2020.
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