As tick season reaches its peak, pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Valneva are seeking regulatory approval for a vaccine to protect against Lyme disease. This comes as a welcome development for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly hunters, who are at high risk of contracting the disease.
Hunters Weigh In
A group of hunters in Missouri shared their thoughts on the potential vaccine. Jess Manganelli, who had been hunting turkeys the weekend before, was the most positive toward the vaccine. “Given my proclivity for the outdoors, absolutely,” she said. Six others said they would consider it but would want more information about its safety and effectiveness as well as their risk for contracting the disease.
Many of the hunters knew someone who had had Lyme disease and witnessed their acquaintances navigating the challenges and struggling with sometimes debilitating symptoms. Author and conservationist Steven Rinella, host of the hunting show MeatEater, contracted Lyme disease 13 years ago and said he would absolutely consider getting a Lyme vaccine if it proved safe and provided considerable protection against the disease.
The new, four-dose vaccine candidate is about 75% effective in reducing cases, according to the companies. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced an initiative to combat Lyme disease and may endorse the vaccine if it is approved.
Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.
