DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Lyme Disease Vaccine

March 21, 2017

Lyme Disease Vaccine injection

What is Lyme disease vaccine?

LYME DISEASE VACCINE (LYMERix®) is a vaccine that helps prevent infection with Lyme disease, an infection that is carried by ticks and is transmitted to people by tick bites. Lyme disease can cause symptoms like rashes, fevers, joint pain, arthritis, nervous system problems, and heart problems. Persons who live in or travel to areas that are likely to have ticks that carry the Lyme disease may benefit from vaccination with this vaccine. This is especially true if you participate in outdoor activities.

NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the United States.

What should my health care professional know before I receive Lyme disease vaccine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • fever or infection

  • heart disease or irregular heartbeat

  • an immune deficiency (natural or due to cancer chemotherapy, radiation, or steroid therapy)

  • infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS

  • rheumatoid arthritis or other arthritic condition

  • neurological or neuromuscular disease

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to latex or rubber

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to vaccines, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Lyme disease vaccine is only for injection into a muscle. It is usually given by a health-care professional in a hospital, clinic or prescriber's office.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

The use of this vaccine must be officially recorded. Federal law requires that the manufacturer's name and lot number; name, address, and phone number of the person giving the vaccine; and the date of administration be recorded in the patient's permanent medical record. Your health care professional will give you some written information about the vaccine, you should read this information.

What if I miss a dose?

Remember to keep appointments for the two follow-up doses at 1 month and at 6—12 months after your initial Lyme disease vaccine dose. For best effectiveness, you should receive all 3 doses according to the schedule recommended by your prescriber. Notify your health-care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment, or miss a scheduled dose. After one year, a booster dose is recommended each year to maintain protection against Lyme disease.

What drug(s) may interact with Lyme disease vaccine?

  • corticosteroids

  • medicines that suppress your immune function, like cancer treatments, or certain medications for organ transplant or inflammatory conditions

Lyme disease vaccine may or may not be administered at the same time as other common vaccines. In some cases more than one type of vaccine may be given to you at the same time, but at different sites on the body. Ask your health care provider if you have questions regarding your vaccination schedules.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking Lyme disease vaccine?

Report any side effects to your prescriber or health care professional that do not go away within 3 days. Ask your health care professional about immunization for other family members.

In addition to receiving the Lyme disease vaccine, there are other things you can do to protect yourself from tick-related infections. Continue to protect yourself with traditional methods -- such as wearing protective clothing, using tick repellents, and checking for ticks after venturing into the woods or grassy areas.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Lyme disease vaccine?

Serious side effects to the Lyme disease vaccine are rare, but could occur.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing

  • difficulty swallowing or swelling of the lips, face, eyes, or throat

  • high fever (102 degrees F or more) or severe chills

  • severe rash, itching (hives)

Side effects that usually do not require immediate medical attention (report these side effects to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

More common:

  • pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, or a "knot" at the injection site

Less common

  • loss of appetite

  • low-grade fever (101 degrees F or less)

  • minor irritability or fatigue or "flu-like" symptoms

  • muscle aches or minor joint pain

Where can I keep my medicine?

This vaccine will be administered in the clinic or office of a health care professional. You will not be given vaccine doses to store at home.

Updated:  

March 21, 2017

Sources:  

U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert