Yale Developing New Lyme Vaccine

tick saliva invading skin (graphic from It's Science)

from Yale News

A vaccine for humans against Lyme disease is still at least a few years in the future, but Yale University may have come one step closer to solving the problem.

A vaccine released over 25 years ago was withdrawn from the market in 2002. The withdrawal was not for medical reasons but was based on low sales, and negative perception about vaccinations in general.

Researchers at Yale are working on a completely different type of vaccine. This will not target one particular strain of the tick-borne disease, but the new approach quickly responds to the presence of tick saliva. The vaccine targets 19 different proteins found in several species of ticks.

The vaccine uses the same mRNA technology that was used to quickly develop COVID-19 vaccines, which is totally different chemistry from traditional vaccines which are usually weakened strains of the disease.

As an analogy, the vaccine makes a tick bite more like a mosquito bite. If you are vaccinated and then are bitten, you will notice redness and itching right away and can remove the tick before it can transmit diseases. Tick saliva normally supresses the human immune response allowing the pathogen time to infect the host, but the vaccine stops that supression.

Tests are being conducted on guinea pigs which can develop Lyme disease. Early animal trials showed 100% protection across six major Borrelia strains over a full tick season. Human trials are still in the future.



See mRNA vaccination induces tick resistance and prevents transmission of the Lyme disease agent. Science Traslational Medicine has made the entire scientific paper available free of charge.


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Lyme Disease in Michigan Soars

deer tick (photo from the US Agricultural Research Service)

from a news article at WZZM and other sources

In Kent County, Michigan, cases of Lyme disease have risen dramatically in the past six years. Only 11-12 cases per year were reported from 2016-2020. In the first nine months of 2025, there were 216 cases. Statewide, cases have also risen but slower at about 150%.

The black-legged, or deer tick is now found in almost every county of the state. This is the primary carrier of Lyme disease.

Lyme can be treated with antibiotics, but post-Lyme syndrome can linger for years causing joint pain and body aches. Another after-effect is immune system disorders. Some have compared it to long COVID. These lingering effects do not respond to antibiotics.

Learn to identify the kinds of ticks. Black-legged ticks are tiny, and they are the most common carriers of Lyme. Dog ticks are larger and less concerning. The Lone Star tick has a large white spot and is more likely to carry different diseases. Asian longhorn ticks are now also found in Michigan, including Berrien County, but these pose a greater threat to animals than humans.

In short, ticks are no longer just a southern problem. Tuck pants into socks, use repellent, check yourself when coming indoors, or daily if on an extended outing.

See Asian Long-horned Tick in Berrien County


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Lyme Carrying Ticks Headed Northward

Black-legged Ticks, formerly called Deer Ticks, found as far north as Sleeping Bear Dunes

Black-legged, or Deer Tick

Black-legged ticks, the primary vector for spreading Lyme Disease were found at Ludington State Park on small mammals as early as 2004. However, at that time, none of this species was found in Manistee at Orchard Beach State Park.

Now, however, the ticks have not only been found in Manisteee, but as far north as Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Sarah Hamer, of Michigan State University, conducts research and monitors the ticks spread. Their research has revealed that not only are the ticks advancing northward, but that there are more ticks per animal checked. Where there once were single ticks on animals, there now are many more with multiple ticks.

Deer and birds are being looked at as vectors for spreading the ticks up the west coast of Michigan. The small mammals do not travel very far, and the ticks by themselves travel very little.

These ticks are very small, and people should check more carefully for them than for the easily seen Wood Ticks or Dog Ticks

from the Ludington Daily News, June 26, 2007
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