Matthew Mealer displayed his targets at the Busch Shooting Range in Weldon Spring, Missouri, in May. Although Mealer is generally skeptical about new vaccines, he might consider one for Lyme disease if it proves safe and effective.
Tick season appears to be one of the worst in a decade. The range of areas where ticks survive is expanding, largely due to climate change. This increases the risk of exposure to various health issues, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, alpha-gal-triggered red meat allergy, and Lyme disease, the most common of all.
This spring, pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Valneva announced plans to seek regulatory approval for a Lyme disease vaccine. A previous vaccine launched in the late 1990s was pulled due to lawsuits, public fear, and lack of interest. It remains uncertain how the new vaccine will be received, especially in the post-COVID era where skepticism about vaccines is prevalent.
Hunters’ Perspective
To gauge potential reception, KFF Health News consulted a group of hunters, who are frequently exposed to ticks. Hunters usually possess conservative, rural, and male demographics, associated with higher vaccine hesitancy, according to Ashley Kirzinger, associate director for Public Opinion and Survey Research at KFF.
If untreated, Lyme disease can lead to fevers, chills, headaches, arthritis, severe pain, and brain and spinal cord inflammation. The CDC estimates that around 476,000 Americans may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme each year, as reported cases have expanded significantly since 1995.
When questioned about the vaccine, Jess Manganelli—one of eight hunters consulted—expressed enthusiasm, citing her outdoor lifestyle. Others showed cautious interest, requesting more information on safety and effectiveness before deciding.
A past tick bite left Manganelli with symptoms associated with Lyme, though she was undiagnosed. Many hunters knew someone who suffered from the disease—ranging from family members to friends.
Challenges of Misdiagnosis
Steven Rinella, a conservationist and host of the show MeatEater, emphasized hunters’ frequent discussions about ticks. Rinella and his older son contracted Lyme 13 years ago. While his son recovered quickly, Rinella dealt with prolonged symptoms. Despite these past challenges, Rinella expressed readiness for the vaccine, provided it proves both effective and safe. Previous infection with Lyme does not yield lasting immunity, so a vaccine could be beneficial.
The hunters in Missouri shared insights influenced by encounters with Lyme. Jeremy Hollingshead referenced a roommate’s ongoing struggle with the disease, which makes him wary of vaccines, yet well aware of the hardships Lyme entails. Conversely, Julian Barnes cited a relative’s misdiagnosed Lyme journey as motivation to consider vaccination, though he remains generally vaccine-hesitant.
Regulatory Path and Public Trust
The new four-dose vaccine showed 75% efficacy in trials, yet fell short of all trial benchmarks because insufficient participants contracted Lyme. Companies still plan to seek regulatory approval, with no updates as of June, according to a Pfizer spokesperson.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., though initially an anti-vaccine advocate, announced an initiative against Lyme in May. His endorsement could influence vaccine acceptance among skeptics, as his followers reportedly trust his health guidance as much as their doctors’, according to Kirzinger.
Among the hunters, only JP Cummings definitively dismissed the vaccine. Although personally uninterested, Cummings remains curious about his fellow hunters’ decisions as more information emerges. “Hunters care about the wildlife; hunters care about health,” Cummings noted, highlighting the communal aspect.
KFF Health News, part of a nonprofit focusing on health journalism, provides in-depth coverage of these issues.
Leave a Reply