# Revolution against Lyme disease: a new vaccine kills bacteria in ticks’ gut

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/revolution-against-lyme-disease-a-new-vaccine-kills-bacteria-in-ticks-gut/
- Published: 2026-11-10T12:47:24+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-10T13:27:21+00:00
- Original publisher: El País (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://english.elpais.com/health/2026-11-10/revolution-against-lyme-disease-a-new-vaccine-kills-bacteria-in-ticks-gut.html
- Topics: Europe, Health, Medicine, World

## Key points

- EMA is reviewing Pfizer and Valneva’s Lyme disease vaccine.
- Trial results showed efficacy above 70%.
- Its antibodies target bacteria inside feeding ticks.

## Summary

The European Medicines Agency is evaluating VLA15, a Lyme disease vaccine developed by Pfizer and Valneva. It uses an unusual approach: antibodies produced by vaccination enter a tick as it feeds, bind to Borrelia bacteria in its gut and prevent them reaching the person’s bloodstream.

The application is based on a phase 3 trial of more than 9,400 people aged over five in areas where Lyme disease is common. The vaccine reduced confirmed cases by more than 70%, reaching 74.8% with booster doses; the four-dose schedule spans about a year. The EMA’s review typically takes around 12 months, and experts say vaccination may be most relevant for people with high tick exposure.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.