Lyme Disease Cases Surge as Scientists Race for Universal Tick Vaccine

Executive Briefing

• Affects nearly 500,000 Americans annually, with 2026 tick season showing highest ER visit rates in almost a decade
• Pfizer's Phase 3 Lyme vaccine trial reports over 70% efficacy, with federal approval submission planned
• Researchers pursue universal anti-tick vaccine targeting saliva proteins to block all pathogen transmission
• Improved diagnostic tools cut alpha-gal syndrome diagnosis time from seven years to roughly 18 months
• Experts warn anti-vaccine sentiment and federal science funding cuts could undermine promising medical advances