Benjamin Lee, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics

(SEPTEMBER 11, 2023) Benjamin Lee, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, was interviewed by WVNY-TV about the UVM Medical Center and the Larner College of Medicine’s Vaccine Testing Center being chosen to advance research on a new Lyme Disease vaccine by operating a worldwide study on the vaccine candidate.

“It’s a phase 3 trial, which means it’s already gone through several rounds of safety testing, and at this stage—this is a large multinational trial—not only with sites here in Vermont, but across the U.S. and in Europe,” Lee said. “This vaccine needs to be tested in areas with very high incidents of Lyme Disease. I think all Vermonters and folks in Upstate New York and in this region recognize that Lyme Disease is a huge problem in this area.”

The trial will require 30 months of participation, with subjects receiving either the vaccine or a placebo, and Lee says the research group is still looking for participants, especially in the pediatric age range. “We’re looking for relatively healthy individuals ages five and up—this trial is open to children, as well—who live in this region and have a reasonable amount of outdoor exposure which places them at risk for tick bites.” People can contact the study team here, or by calling 802 656-0013.