Lyme Disease in Canada: A Rising Threat—and Hope on the Horizon With a New Vaccine

At Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we specialize in protecting you before, during, and after your travel—and that increasingly includes protecting you from risks right here at home. One such risk is Lyme disease, a growing public health concern across Canada due to the expanding presence of blacklegged ticks.

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a potentially serious illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. If left untreated, it can lead to severe joint pain, heart issues, and nervous system complications. In many cases, people don’t even realize they’ve been bitten.
Since 2009, over 27,000 cases of Lyme disease have been officially recorded in Canada, and the actual number is likely much higher due to underreporting and misdiagnosis. Nova Scotia, Ontario, and several other provinces are experiencing record-high tick populations, especially during the warmer months.

The Long-Awaited Vaccine: How Close Are We?

Until now, prevention strategies have relied on tick checks, repellents, and environmental precautions. But finally, after years of research setbacks, a new Lyme disease vaccine may be on the horizon.
A collaboration between pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Valneva SE has produced a promising vaccine candidate currently in Phase 3 clinical trials. The vaccine works by priming the immune system to recognize and attack Borrelia burgdorferi before the infection can take hold. Clinical trial participants include outdoor workers, dog owners, and frequent hikers—those most at risk.
If all goes well, Pfizer anticipates submitting for approval to the FDA and the European Medicines Agency by 2026. While no timeline has been confirmed for Health Canada, experts believe Canadian approval will likely follow soon after.

Why Now? And What Took So Long?

Surprisingly, a human Lyme vaccine was briefly available in the late 1990s but was pulled due to controversy and declining sales. Despite the FDA finding no major safety issues, public trust was shaken.
Today, the growing threat of Lyme—amplified by climate change and ecological shifts—has reignited research and public demand. Other vaccine innovations are also underway, such as edible vaccines for mice (to reduce infected tick populations) and immunization technologies that target tick saliva itself.

What You Can Do Now

While we wait for a human vaccine, it’s important to protect yourself—especially during tick season:

• Wear long sleeves and pants in wooded or grassy areas
• Use DEET-based insect repellents
• Perform thorough tick checks after outdoor activity
• Wash and dry clothing at high temperatures
• Protect your pets with veterinary-approved tick preventatives

At Destinations Clinic, we provide pre-travel consultations, vaccinations, and up-to-date advice on how to stay safe from Lyme disease, both abroad and here in Canada. If and when the vaccine becomes available, we’ll be among the first to offer it—ensuring our patients get timely, science-based protection.

Final Thoughts

Ticks are small, but the consequences of Lyme disease can be life-changing. A safe, effective vaccine could finally allow Canadians to enjoy nature without fear. Until then, awareness, prevention, and expert guidance from clinics like ours remain your best defense.

Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied upon for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider first. Full Disclaimer.