There is now encouraging news for many MKMG patients who have been waiting for an effective vaccine against Lyme disease.
SmithKline Beecham’s LYMErixTM received FDA approval in late December 1998 for individuals ages 15-65. The vaccine calls for three injections over a period of one year. Another similar vaccine is expected to receive FDA approval shortly.
LYMErixTM does not contain live bacteria, therefore individuals cannot contract Lyme disease from it. It is equally effective for those who have already had Lyme disease as those who have not -- but it does not protect against any other tick-borne diseases.
Once a person has been vaccinated, he or she will test positive on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), one of the diagnostic tests used to detect Lyme disease. A true positive diagnosis requires additional testing and clinical observations.
Certain people (for whom LYMErixTM has not been tested) should NOT be vaccinated. These include pregnant women, chronic arthritis sufferers, and children under 15 (testing on children is not yet complete).
LYMErixTM has proven less effective for those over age 65, especially men, but it is not yet known why.
All vaccinated individuals should continue practicing standard prevention against all tick-borne diseases. This includes wearing light-colored clothing and tick repellent during outdoor activity, tucking long pants into socks, and checking for and removing ticks after you’ve been outside.
For more information on preventing Lyme disease, or to schedule a Lyme disease vaccination, contact your MKMG physician.
