COVID Vaccine Side Effects in Lyme Disease Patients
Most patients tolerate vaccines well
Symptom burden did not increase
Mild side effects were common
Temporary flares were uncommon
Some individuals with Lyme disease worry that symptoms could worsen after COVID-19 vaccination. Available research suggests that most patients tolerate vaccination well, with no increase in overall symptom burden.
To better understand these concerns, researchers compared symptom burden in people with a history of Lyme disease who were vaccinated versus those who were not.
For context on persistent symptoms, see post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS).
Study Overview
Questions about vaccine safety have persisted because rare complications may not have been detected during early clinical trials.
Participants with certain medical conditions were excluded from many trials, including:
- Recurrent severe infections
- Autoimmune conditions
- Serious psychiatric illness
- Other significant medical disorders
Because of these exclusions, individuals with chronic illnesses such as Lyme disease may not have been well represented in early vaccine studies.
Post-vaccine surveillance is therefore important for understanding safety in this population.
Methods
This study analyzed data from a cross-sectional survey of individuals with Lyme disease recruited through social media.
Symptom burden was measured using the General Symptom Questionnaire-30 (GSQ-30).
The GSQ-30 evaluates:
- Pain and fatigue
- Neurologic symptoms
- Neuropsychiatric symptoms
- Viral-like symptoms
Scores range from 0 to 120 based on symptom severity.
Results
A total of 1,168 individuals with Lyme disease participated:
- 616 (52.7%) vaccinated
- 552 (47.3%) unvaccinated
Among vaccinated participants:
- 55.5% Pfizer
- 32.8% Moderna
- 9.1% Johnson & Johnson
- 2.6% other
The average symptom score was 43.5 in vaccinated individuals versus 46.6 in unvaccinated individuals.
Although statistically significant, the difference was modest.
Both groups reported higher symptom levels than healthy individuals, with patterns similar to PTLDS.
Common Vaccine Side Effects
Most participants reported mild side effects similar to the general population:
- Pain at the injection site (88.9%)
- Fatigue (72.9%)
- Headache
- Body aches
Side effect rates were similar across vaccine brands.
Severe Reactions
Only 25 individuals (about 4%) reported symptoms lasting longer than 72 hours.
Reported symptoms included:
- Fatigue
- Fever and chills
- Body aches
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
A small number of participants described temporary worsening of symptoms they associated with their tick-borne illness.
Discussion
Vaccination did not appear to increase overall symptom burden in individuals with Lyme disease.
No participants reported severe complications such as thrombosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, or myocarditis.
These findings suggest that vaccine risk in Lyme disease patients is similar to the general population.
Patients should also consider the risks of COVID-19 infection itself, including long COVID.
Study Limitations
This study has several limitations:
- Cross-sectional design (no cause-and-effect conclusions)
- Potential selection bias
- Symptoms may reflect co-existing conditions
Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand symptom changes over time.
Clinical Takeaway
Most individuals with Lyme disease tolerate COVID-19 vaccination without worsening of overall symptoms.
While temporary symptom flares may occur in a small minority, current evidence does not suggest increased long-term symptom burden.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
This is false information ! Tick borne infections cause hypercogulation the vaccine is known to cause blood clots . The Covid vaccine is known to cause immune deficiency & the cardiovascular system just like tick borne infections . Dr Cameron you should be ashamed of yourself circulating false dangerous information
Thank you for your comments. None of the survey participants reported hypercoagulation, immune deficiency or cardiovascular system issues. The Survey was not designed to determine whether these were conditions were present that the participant was not aware of.
Are you accepting insurance for clinical trials?
Hello. I am sorry to say we are not running a clinical trials.
I have had long hall Lyme for ten years. I was a bit unwell after my first two vaccines but since my booster on 05 January 2022 I have been extremely unwell with full blown Lyme symptoms again . Could not function. Only just coming out of it 2.5 months later.
You are not alone. There were others in the Survey who were ill for years with Lyme disease who had a severe flareup with the vaccine. There were others who have had a severe flareup after contracting COVID-19. In fact one in five Lyme disease patients reported suffering from long covid after contracting COVID-19.
I was bitten at 18 and diagnosed at 40. I spent 13 years on several antibiotics and now I’m only using herbals. I have severe shortness of breath and air hunger. I’m concerned about the worsening of these symptoms. After having taken two years off from working, I need to get back to work in healthcare. I feel slightly better about getting the vaccine, but I’m still scared of worsening SOB. It’s been so bad, I thought of going to ER as I feel like my breathing was shutting down. I also am taking a trip to Hawaii. I’m still on the fence about all of this. Thank you for sharing this valuable info!
Thank you for contributing to the body of knowlege we need to make sense of this 5000 piece puzzle. Anecdotally, I had no reaction to the vaccines. My lyme related discomforts are due to immaturaty: I’m an American goddammit, I can eat what I want! No. Can’t eat sugar. So, I’m glad vaccines are no longer dispensed on sugar cubes.
So it has been a few years, since I took the COVID VACCINES. I am now on my 3rd spring – 2022, 23, 24 – of coming down with Lyme. Not a FLARE. I have blood work proof showing I didn’t have it detectable, and then I did.. like 12 bands positive. I am wondering if the COVID VACCINE, somehow affected me.. I was Lyme free… for 2019, 20 and 21? Are we looking at long-range effects of the COVID VACCINE regarding Lyme patients?
I was looking at the role COVID-19 played on patients with a history of Lyme disease. Lyme disease patients with COVID or the COVID vaccine were not much different that Lyme disease patients who did not have COVID or the COVID vaccine. The take home Don’t get Lyme disease. The survey was not designed to address your question.