Pfizer and Valneva are seeking FDA approval for a Lyme disease vaccine, but vaccine hesitancy — especially among rural, high-risk populations like hunters — could be a hurdle. KFF Health News spoke with hunters in Missouri, most of whom said they'd consider the vaccine but want more safety and efficacy data first. RFK Jr.'s stance on the vaccine could prove pivotal in shaping uptake among skeptical communities.
A new Lyme disease vaccine from Pfizer and Valneva could be heading to the FDA for approval, offering hope as tick season worsens and climate change expands tick habitats across the U.S. The four-dose candidate is estimated to be about 75% effective at reducing cases — though it technically missed a trial benchmark due to insufficient infections among participants. A previous Lyme vaccine was pulled from the market in the early 2000s after lawsuits and public fear, raising questions about whether this one will fare better.
To gauge real-world reception, KFF Health News spoke with hunters in Missouri — a group with high tick exposure but also demographic traits associated with vaccine hesitancy. Most said they'd consider the vaccine but wanted more information on safety and effectiveness. Personal connections to Lyme disease — sick relatives, struggling friends — made many more open to it, while a few remained skeptical about their personal risk.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: With tick-borne illness on the rise and a new vaccine potentially on the way, public trust will be the deciding factor in its success. How health officials — and figures like RFK Jr. — communicate about this vaccine could shape its adoption among the very populations who need it most.
