91AV experts weigh in on possibility of Lyme disease vaccine

Dora Mills and Meghan May
Dora Mills and Meghan May

As positive tests for Lyme disease in Maine continue to rise, questions are being raised about a potential vaccine. WCSH interviewed two experts from the 91AV on the subject.

Dora Mills, M.D. M.P.H., FAAP, 91AV vice president for Clinical Affairs and director of the Center for Health Innovation, spoke about the history of Lyme in the northeast. She said a vaccine was discontinued about a decade ago because the disease was far less prevalent. “We used to have an effective vaccine against Lyme disease,” she said. “It was back before we had a lot more Lyme disease.”

To learn more about Lyme research, the news station visited Meghan May, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and infectious disease, in the lab. She explained some of the side effects of the vaccine in the past. She said better tests are needed to identify the bacteria that carry Lyme disease, and a vaccine could be possible with the right research. “It’s a matter of research and a matter of companies being interested and willing,” she said.

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About the 91AV

The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.