1076: Why Don’t We Have A Vaccine For Lyme Disease? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 18, 2025 · 18 MIN

1076: Why Don’t We Have A Vaccine For Lyme Disease?

from Science Friday · host Science Friday

It’s shaping up to be one of the worst tick years yet, and concerns about Lyme disease—which is transmitted through the bites of some species—are high. Aside from a short-lived vaccine released in the late 1990s, people have not had the opportunity to get vaccinated against Lyme disease. But if our dogs can get vaccinated, why can’t we? Host Flora Lichtman speaks with immunologist and Lyme disease expert Linden Hu about the ongoing quest for a vaccine against Lyme disease, and our evolving understanding of the disease.  Guest: Dr. Linden Hu is a Professor of immunology at Tufts University School of Medicine.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com.Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 18, 2025

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Tick seasons are getting worse, raising concerns about the risk of Lyme disease. Dogs can get vaccinated for it. Why can’t humans?

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1076: Why Don’t We Have A Vaccine For Lyme Disease?

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