Lyme disease and the Lyme disease vaccines.

Abstract

Both OspA vaccines, with or without adjuvant, are effective and safe. People must receive repeated doses of the vaccine, however, to receive effective protection. If the vaccines are to be part of a Lyme disease prevention strategy, doctors and patients must pay attention to booster shot timing. Maximum public health benefit can be achieved only if the Lyme disease vaccines are integrated into broad individual and community-based efforts to prevent Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. Only people at significant risk of contracting Lyme disease should consider vaccination, and vaccination should merely complement--not replace--personal precautions for avoiding tick bites.