Hunters and the Rising Threat of Lyme Disease

Tick season is in full swing, and this has been marked as possibly the worst in a decade. Americans face increasing exposure to ticks, with climate change broadening the regions these parasites can inhabit. Consequently, more people are also at risk of various health conditions caused by ticks, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the alpha-gal-triggered red meat allergy, and the prevalent Lyme disease.

For Lyme disease, pharmaceutical corporations Pfizer and Valneva plan to seek regulatory approval for a new vaccine. A previous Lyme vaccine was available in the late 1990s but was pulled due to lawsuits, public concern over side effects, and waning interest.

In today’s context of vaccine skepticism post-COVID, acceptance of this Lyme disease vaccine remains uncertain. KFF Health News consulted a group of hunters, a segment of the population highly exposed to ticks due to their outdoor activities. Hunters tend to be conservative, rural, and male, demographics known for increased vaccine hesitancy, according to Ashley Kirzinger of KFF.

Target for Ticks

The CDC outlines symptoms of Lyme disease, including fevers, chills, headaches, arthritis, shooting pains, and brain inflammation. Approximately 476,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease annually, partially due to the expanded range where Lyme is reported since 1995.

Jess Manganelli, a hunter at the Busch Shooting Range in Weldon Spring, Missouri, expressed enthusiasm for the vaccine given her frequent outdoor activities. Among the seven hunters and one hiker interviewed, Manganelli was the most positive. Most considered the vaccine potential but wanted assurances about its safety and effectiveness. Manganelli herself suspected a Lyme infection two years ago but was never formally diagnosed.

Many hunters knew people affected by Lyme disease—friends, family, ex-roommates—facing challenges due to misdiagnosis or treatment difficulties.

An Illness with Lingering Effects

Steven Rinella, conservationist and host of MeatEater, noted the connection between turkey hunting and tick exposure. Rinella and his son contracted Lyme 13 years ago, resulting in his son temporarily facing Bell’s palsy and Rinella dealing with prolonged symptoms requiring intravenous antibiotics.

Rinella would consider the new vaccine if it proved safe and effective, aware that previous infection does not confer immunity. Hunters in Missouri shared similar sentiments.

Jeremy Hollingshead cited a roommate’s prolonged struggles with Lyme as a reason for his hesitancy. Despite this, with minimal acquaintances directly affected, Hollingshead felt his risk of contracting Lyme seemed low. Conversely, Julian Barnes was more open to vaccination due to witnessing a relative’s challenges with Lyme.

Pfizer and Valneva’s four-dose vaccine candidate reportedly showed 75% efficacy, according to the companies, who plan to seek regulatory approval. Updates on these efforts remain sparse as of June.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known anti-vaccine activist, has pushed for initiatives combatting Lyme disease. During Senate confirmation hearings, Kennedy emphasized his family’s experience with Lyme, promising dedicated efforts toward developing a vaccine or treatment.

A potential endorsement from Kennedy could significantly influence vaccine acceptance, especially among his supporters, noted Kirzinger. These individuals could trust Kennedy’s approval akin to their own doctors.

Among the hunters, JP Cummings expressed complete disinterest in the vaccine but remains curious about others’ reactions. “Hunters care about the wildlife; hunters care about health,” Cummings remarked, highlighting their commitment to nature and community.

KFF Health News specializes in comprehensive journalism on health-related topics, operating as a core program of KFF.