The worst part about Spring, Summer and Fall in Nova Scotia and around North America is the dreaded tick! They’re everywhere, and with milder winters they stick around and breed longer! Up until recently there was no real widespread plan of preventative protection from Lyme disease, but we’re closer than we’ve ever been.
You might not have known, but Canadians did have a vaccine option back in the ’90s and early 2000s. A company called LYMErix® made one but stopped production in 2002 because of “insufficient consumer demand,” which made sense because back then it was not a widespread problem.
Tick-borne illnesses have exploded all over North America, and particularly here on the East Coast! The good news is there is hope on the horizon!
According to the CDC, there are two very promising preventative shots that could be available to us within the next year or two. The first is a vaccine that looks to be about 70% effective against the North American strain of the illness. That’s made by Valneva and Pfizer. It’s in its 3rd round of human trials, and they could apply for approval in Canada as early as this year or next!
Another option comes from the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s MassBiologics. They are working on a “human monoclonal antibody” that would have to be taken every season before being exposed to ticks.
For now, keep on doing those nightly checks and seek medical help if you get a bite or have symptoms.
