Lyme Disease Vaccine Seeks FDA Approval

Roughly 30,000 people are infected with Lyme disease every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also known as Lyme borreliosis, it's caused by bacteria that's typically spread through the bite of an infected tick. Symptoms can range from minor to severe, with some individuals experiencing a broad range of symptoms throughout their entire body.

Unfortunately, there's no known cure for Lyme disease. However, a new potential vaccine is seeking approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Known simply as VLA15, the vaccine is being developed by the French biomedicinal company Valneva. Valneva is currently conducting a preliminary trial that involves around 180 participants. Due to the steadily increasing rates of Lyme disease infection, however, the company's drug has been fast-tracked for FDA approval, meaning the FDA will prioritize it over other drugs.

It's a little-known fact that the FDA has its own special "Fast Track" program designed specifically for new drugs that tackle urgent and concerning medical conditions. Being that Lyme disease is potentially deadly -- it causes complications such as cardiac arrest -- it shouldn't come as a surprise to learn that VLA15 has been placed into the FDA's Fast Track program.

Furthermore, for reasons unbeknownst to experts, rates of Lyme disease infection in the United States are increasing. The CDC suggests that rates of infection could be up to 10x higher than averages reported by individual states. In New York, more than 3,200 cases of Lyme disease were reported in 2015. Whether or not the VLA15 vaccine will work remains to be seen. However, it's certainly a promising sign for a solution to end this deadly, wide-reaching disease.

In the meantime, there are steps individuals can take to protect themselves from Lyme disease, including the following:

• Wear insect repellent when venturing outdoors.
• Keep your yard mowed and maintained.
• Wear layers of clothing to cover your skin.
• Check your body for ticks and other insects after being outdoors.
• If you find a tick, remove it ASAP. Ticks typically need to be attached for at least 36 hours in order to transmit the Lyme disease bacteria.
• Take a bath or shower after being outdoors, also using this time to check your body for ticks.
• Treat your home with a pesticide that's capable of killing ticks.
• If you discover a tick bite that has turned into a rash, seek medial attention.

These are just a few tips to protect against Lyme disease.