Pfizer starts late-stage clinical trials Lyme disease vaccine

A Lyme disease vaccine could soon hit the market in the U.S. for the first time in two decades, as pharma giant enters late-stage clinical trials for a vaccine that prevents infection from the tick-borne illness.

The New York City-based firm is starting enrollment of 6,000 adults and children aged five an up for the Phase 3 trial that is set to begin by the end of the year. The three dose vaccine will be administered over nine months, and then participants will receive a booster 12 months later. Pfizer is aiming to apply for Food and Drug Administration approval in 2025.

This stage comes after Pfizer reported strong Phase 2 data for the shot - called VLA15 - in February. In that trial, the company determined that the three dose regimen was most effective against the virus.

Pfizer starts late-stage clinical trials Lyme disease vaccine

A new Lyme disease could be available in the U.S. as early as 2025, as Pfizer has launched final clinical trials for its jab, VLA15. The company is aiming to apply for FDA approval in 2025.