Hunters share views on potential Lyme disease vaccine
6 reported
A new Lyme disease vaccine from Pfizer and Valneva may seek regulatory approval, but its reception among rural populations at high risk of Lyme remains uncertain. KFF Health News spoke with a group of hunters at a Missouri shooting range to gauge interest. Of eight hunters and one hiker, one said they would definitely get the vaccine, six said they would consider it with more safety and effectiveness information, and one said they would not. Nearly all knew someone who had contracted Lyme disease, and their experiences influenced their openness to vaccination. The vaccine candidate is about 75% effective in reducing cases, though it missed one trial bar because not enough participants contracted Lyme. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former anti-vaccine activist, has announced a Lyme disease initiative, which could influence vaccine-skeptical groups if he endorses the vaccine.
What’s reported
Pfizer and Valneva announced plans to seek regulatory approval for a Lyme disease vaccine this spring.
A previous Lyme vaccine was pulled in the late 1990s due to lawsuits, fear of side effects, and lack of interest.
About 476,000 people in the U.S. may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year, according to the CDC.
The new vaccine candidate is about 75% effective but missed one trial bar due to insufficient Lyme cases among participants.
Of eight hunters and one hiker interviewed, one would definitely get the vaccine, six would consider it, and one would not.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a Lyme disease initiative in May.
Key figures
Jess Manganelli, hunter
Jeremy Hollingshead, hunter
Julian Barnes, hunter
JP Cummings, hunter
Steven Rinella, author and conservationist
Ashley Kirzinger, associate director for Public Opinion and Survey Research at KFF
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health and Human Services Secretary
Sources: NPR
