What vaccine is available for ticks?

What vaccine is available for ticks? - briefly

No vaccine prevents tick bites themselves; only vaccines against tick‑borne diseases exist, such as the licensed tick‑borne encephalitis vaccines (e.g., FSME‑Immun, Encepur) and, in limited markets, a Lyme disease vaccine (Lymerix) or experimental candidates.

What vaccine is available for ticks? - in detail

Vaccines that target ticks or the pathogens they transmit are limited to veterinary use and to a few human prophylactics against specific tick‑borne viruses.

Veterinary anti‑tick vaccines

  • Bm86‑based products (e.g., Gavac, TickGARD Plus) – recombinant protein derived from the gut of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The antigen elicits antibodies that bind to tick gut cells, impairing blood digestion and reducing engorgement. Two injections are administered 4 weeks apart, followed by annual boosters. Field studies report 30–70 % reduction in tick infestations and corresponding decreases in tick‑borne disease incidence. Licensed in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and several Asian countries.
  • Subolesin‑based candidates – experimental vaccines targeting a conserved tick protein involved in cellular signaling. Trials in cattle and sheep show up to 50 % drop in tick loads; regulatory approval pending.
  • Dog vaccines against Borrelia burgdorferi – recombinant OspA formulations (e.g., Recombitek Lyme, Nobivac Lyme). Three‑dose primary series (0, 2, 4 weeks) with annual revaccination. Clinical trials demonstrate 80–95 % efficacy in preventing seroconversion after exposure to infected Ixodes ticks.

Human vaccines related to tick vectors

  • Tick‑borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccines – inactivated whole‑virus preparations (e.g., FSME‑IMMUN, Encepur). Recommended for individuals in endemic regions of Europe and Asia. Primary schedule of three doses (0, 1–3 months, 5–12 months) followed by boosters every 3–5 years. Efficacy exceeds 95 % in preventing symptomatic infection.
  • Experimental Lyme disease vaccine – a recombinant OspA vaccine (VLA15) in late‑stage clinical trials. Designed to induce antibodies that kill Borrelia spirochetes within feeding ticks, thereby interrupting transmission. Phase III data indicate >80 % efficacy after two doses, with a third dose enhancing durability.

Key characteristics across products

  • Target antigen derived from either the tick itself (Bm86, Subolesin) or the pathogen it carries (OspA, viral capsid).
  • Administration routes are intramuscular or subcutaneous injections.
  • Protection relies on antibody‑mediated mechanisms that either impair tick physiology or neutralize pathogens during blood feeding.
  • Licensing varies by region; veterinary products are approved for livestock and companion animals, while human vaccines focus on specific viral encephalitis and are under development for bacterial Lyme disease.

No licensed vaccine exists that directly prevents tick attachment in humans. Current preventive strategies therefore combine available immunizations with personal protective measures such as repellents, clothing, and habitat management.