VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine: what US travelers should know

VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine is being co-developed by Valneva and Pfizer as a candidate to help prevent Lyme disease in people exposed to ticks, including many US travelers and outdoor enthusiasts Pfizer, 08/08/2022.

As of: 05/24/2026 | Reading time: approx. 9 minutes

By the AD HOC NEWS editorial team - specialized in product-focused market coverage.

What VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine is and how it works

VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine is an investigational multivalent protein subunit vaccine designed to target the outer surface protein A, known as OspA, of Borrelia bacteria that cause Lyme disease in humans Valneva, 02/04/2022.

The vaccine is formulated to cover several prevalent Borrelia species associated with Lyme disease in North America and Europe, reflecting the multistrain nature of the infection and the geographic spread of the tick vectors New England Journal of Medicine, 02/03/2022.

VLA15 is being studied as an intramuscular injection given as a series of doses to build immunity before potential tick exposure, with schedules under evaluation in clinical trials rather than in routine clinical use at this stage ClinicalTrials.gov, 08/31/2021.

Why VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine matters for US consumers and industry

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported tens of thousands of diagnosed cases annually in recent years CDC, 04/13/2023.

For US residents in high-incidence states such as those in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, a potential vaccine like VLA15 could become another layer of protection alongside tick avoidance, repellents, and prompt tick removal CDC, 06/28/2023.

Outdoor recreation, travel to wooded or grassy areas, and seasonal work in forestry, landscaping, or agriculture make Lyme risk a practical issue for many US families and employers. A dedicated Lyme disease vaccine candidate is therefore closely watched by travel medicine clinics and occupational health specialists.

VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine in the US and global market

Valneva and Pfizer started a global Phase 3 clinical trial program, called VALOR, to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of VLA15 in participants who live in or visit areas where Lyme disease is endemic, including sites in the United States Pfizer, 08/08/2022.

Trial locations include North America and Europe, reflecting the cross-Atlantic burden of Lyme disease and signaling the developers interest in both US and European regulatory submissions if the studies are successful Valneva, 08/08/2022.

Because there is currently no Lyme disease vaccine on the US market for humans, the eventual entry of a product like VLA15 would represent a notable change in the prevention landscape and could become relevant for primary care, travel medicine, and employer health programs.

• Investigational vaccine targeting Lyme disease
• Designed to cover multiple Borrelia species
• Studied in North America and Europe
• Intended for people with tick exposure risk
• Not yet approved or available for routine use

Frequently Asked Questions About VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine

Is VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine currently available in the United States?
VLA15 is not currently approved or available for routine clinical use. It remains an investigational vaccine being evaluated in clinical trials supervised by regulators.

Who might be considered for VLA15 if it is approved in the future?
Based on its trial design, VLA15 is being studied in people who live in or travel to areas where Lyme disease is common, including adults and children, but any final indication would depend on regulatory review and labeling decisions.

Does VLA15 replace other Lyme disease prevention measures?
Even if a Lyme vaccine becomes available, public health guidance is likely to continue emphasizing tick avoidance, repellents, protective clothing, and prompt tick checks because no single measure fully eliminates infection risk.

VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine is being developed by Valneva, a specialty vaccine company, with Pfizer as a strategic partner for late-stage development and potential commercialization in key markets.

Valneva SE, the company behind VLA15, is listed on Euronext Paris and Nasdaq, and its shares are associated with the ISIN FR0013280286 in capital markets contexts.

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute investment advice. Stocks are volatile financial instruments.