LYME DISEASE VACCINE

On February 26, 2002, GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of the Lyme vaccine "LYMErix", pulled the vaccine off the market, blaming poor sales. However, many vaccine victims, Lyme patients and advocacy groups believe the reasons for its withdrawal are much more complicated. Research continues toward a new vaccine, and currently there is no vaccine available. While an effective method of prevention is important, given the concerns about the previous vaccine, LymeInfo urges caution in the event that a new vaccine becomes available.

The Newest Developments:

GSK Sued, Aug. 2012
Genetic Engineering Raises Hope for Lyme Vaccine, Apr. 2010
Tick Saliva: New Target for Lyme Disease Vaccine, Nov. 2009
Lyme Vaccines: Past and Present Concerns, 2009
Anti-Tick Vaccine Research
Research for Tularemia Vaccine
Mass Vaccination of Mice
Key advance in understanding spread of Lyme Disease
Vaccine Makes Blood Toxic to Mosquitos
OspC vaccine research, 2007
I. scapularis cystatins for anti-tick vaccines, 2007
A serine protease inhibitor as an anti-tick vaccine, 2005
Vaccine Research Senate Bill
Development of Lyme vaccine (free registration)

Important Reads:

The Bitter Feud Over LYMErix
LDA Meeting with the FDA
LYMErix Safety/Efficacy Concerns
Lyme Disease Association Position and Remarks (.doc)
Lyme Disease Foundation: Hope or Hype?
Neurological Impairment Seen in Patients Given Lymerix
About the Vaccine for Dogs

New Vaccine?

Media Websites:

Search continues for Lyme disease drugs
Tick Saliva Genes Key To Lyme Disease Vaccine
Lyme Vaccine Lymerix Leaves Market, but Others in Wings
Blood meal acquisition by ticks...implications for vaccine development
UConn awarded West Nile, Lyme disease grant
UConn grant will enable vaccine research

Require Free Registration at LymeInfo:

Experts identify molecular players in tick-borne illness
Vaccinating Mice Could Reduce Lyme Disease
Study finds changes in Lyme bacteria
West Nile, Lyme ills targeted
New Vaccine with Roots at B.N.L.
Yale receives funding for research on new Lyme vaccine

Vaccine Removal:

Most Require Free Registration at LymeInfo:

Vaccine Suit Settled
The Vaccine Conflict
Firm Did Well to Settle
A mix of relief and concern as Lyme vaccine discontinued
The life and death of a vaccine
Lyme disease vaccine off the market
Lyme vaccine taken off market
Lyme Disease Vaccine Removed
Injured by Lymerix?

Reports:

FDA Hearing Transcript, Jan. 31, 2001
CDC Comments, January 17, 2002
VAERS to Report Adverse Reactions
Lawsuit: Sheller and Ludwig
Art's Vaccine Links
FDA Meeting, May 2002
FDA Meeting, Nov 2001 (.doc file)
FDA Hearing Transcript, Jan 2001 (pdf file)
Lymerix Briefing Document, Jan 2001 (pdf file)
Inventory of Briefing Materials Jan 2001 (.doc file)
CDC Recommendations, 1999 (.pdf file)
Aventis Pasteur Discontinues OspA Vaccine Effort, Feb 2000

News Coverage from the Past:

NY Times: "Findings Boost Hope for Better Lyme Vaccine"
NY Times: "Concerns Grow Over Reactions to Lyme Shots"
Press Release: "Consumers and Scientists Call for Safer Vaccine"
Star Ledger: Fear Factor Doomed Lymerix (free registration)
NY Times: "3 Suits Say Vaccine Caused Severe Arthritis"
NY Newsday: "CDC Affirms Safety Of Lyme Vaccine" (free registration)
Star Ledger: "Criticism of Lyme Vaccine Imperils Grant"
Star Ledger: "Ticked Off"
WebMD: "Is the Lyme Vaccine a Lemon?"
Washington Post: "Lyme Disease Vaccine's Safety is Questioned"

Medical Articles:

The Lyme vaccine: a cautionary tale, 2006
Lyme Vaccination Safety (pdf)
Novel Bb antigens suitable as vaccine candidates
Immune System Abnormality Foils LD Vaccine
Reuters: Vaccine Not Cost Effective For Most(free registration)
Vaccination Against LD, July 1998 NEJM
A Vaccine Consisting of Recombinant, July 1998, NEJM
Exploring the sialome of the tick
Adverse Events, Feb 2002, Vaccine
Protection against LD in Dogs, Oct 2001, Vaccine
Severe Destructive Lyme Arthritis in Hamsters Vaccinated, Feb 2000
LD Vaccine Given Guarded Approval in US