Nobivac Lyme at a glance
| Product | Nobivac® Lyme: Borrelia burgdorferi Bacterin |
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| Manufacturer | Intervet Inc. d/b/a Merck Animal Health (VLN 165A / PCN 2126.01) |
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| Label use | Healthy dogs 8 weeks of age or older, against Borrelia burgdorferi (the cause of Lyme disease) |
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| Also on the label | Shown to be effective against subclinical arthritis caused by B. burgdorferi |
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| Duration of immunity | At least 1 year (label) |
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| Does not cover | Distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, Bordetella, influenza or rabies |
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| Dose | 1 mL. Warm to room temperature and mix well before use. |
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| Route | Subcutaneous (SC), with a 22 gauge or larger sterile needle |
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| First dose | At 8 weeks of age or older |
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| Primary series | Repeat 2 to 4 weeks later. Two doses are required for primary immunization. |
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| Revaccination | The label says to contact your veterinarian or the manufacturer about revaccination frequency. |
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| Storage | 2° to 8°C (35° to 46°F). Do not freeze. |
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| Preservatives | Gentamicin and amphotericin B. Thimerosal free. |
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| Pack | 25 × 1 dose, 1 mL each (Merck code 099895) |
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What Nobivac Lyme is
Nobivac Lyme is Merck Animal Health's Lyme disease vaccine for dogs. It is a bacterin, a killed vaccine made from Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. It covers Lyme disease only, so it is given in addition to your dogs' core vaccines, not instead of them.
The label states a duration of immunity of at least 1 year, and says the vaccine has also been shown to be effective against subclinical arthritis caused by B. burgdorferi.
What Merck says about Nobivac Lyme
Merck Animal Health states the following on its official product page:
- Two outer surface proteins. The vaccine is designed to target the 2 key outer surface proteins (OspA and OspC) involved in disease transmission, and is proven to induce borreliacidal antibodies that bind to OspA and OspC.
- Tick challenge study. In a placebo-controlled trial with thirty 8-week-old puppies, challenged 3 weeks after the second vaccination, no B. burgdorferi were found in the joints of vaccinated dogs and no joint inflammation, stiffness or lameness was seen. In the same study, 40% of control dogs developed chronic joint inflammation and 27% developed joint stiffness or lameness.
- Safety. Well tolerated in a field safety trial of more than 600 dogs, with 99.3% reaction-free. Merck says it has been given to over 4 million dogs since 2009.
Those are the manufacturer's statements. Follow the label directions below and your veterinarian's advice for your dogs.
Who Nobivac Lyme is for
The label covers healthy dogs 8 weeks of age or older. Ask your veterinarian whether and when your dogs should be vaccinated against Lyme disease. We also carry flea and tick control products.
Per the label:
- Vaccinate only healthy, non-parasitized dogs. Talk with your veterinarian about deworming first. See our dog dewormers.
- This product has not been tested in pregnant bitches.
- Transient soft tissue swelling may occur at the injection site.
- The use of a biological product may produce anaphylaxis or other hypersensitivity reactions. The label lists epinephrine, corticosteroids and antihistamines as antidotes, depending on the nature and severity of the reaction.
How to give Nobivac Lyme (label directions)
- Allow the vaccine to warm to room temperature before use, then mix well.
- Inject one dose (1 mL) subcutaneously (under the skin) using a 22 gauge or larger sterile needle.
- The initial dose may be given at 8 weeks of age or older.
- Repeat the dose 2 to 4 weeks later. Two doses are required for primary immunization.
- Contact your veterinarian or the manufacturer for more information on revaccination frequency.
Use new, non-chemically sterilized needles and syringes. Do not mix with other products. If anything on this page differs from the label on the product you receive, follow the label.
Storage and handling
- Store at 2° to 8°C (35° to 46°F). Do not freeze.
- Contains gentamicin and amphotericin B as preservatives. Thimerosal free.
- In case of human exposure, contact a physician.
Pack size
| Option | What you get |
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| 25 × 1 dose | 25 single doses, 1 mL each; enough for the two-dose primary series in 12 dogs, with one dose left over |
Syringes and needles are not included. See our syringe and needle combos. Compare all our Lyme vaccines, including Elanco's TruCan Lyme.
Special order item. We order this vaccine for you, so extended shipping time may apply. If you need it by a certain date, call us at 800-979-2869 before you order.
How we ship vaccines
From our shipping policy:
- We ship vaccines and perishable items Monday through Wednesday. Orders received by 1 pm EST go out the same day.
- Vaccines ship UPS 2nd Day Air, packed in a styrofoam vaccine shipping cooler with 3 ice packs. The cooler and 3 ice packs are included at no extra charge. Extra ice packs beyond 3 can be added for a fee.
- The ice packs will often have melted by the time the box arrives. That means the packaging did its job. The cooler and ice packs protect the vaccine from big temperature swings in transit; they are not meant to deliver it at refrigerator temperature. Put the vaccine in the refrigerator as soon as it arrives.
- Overnight shipping is available on request: note it at checkout or call 800-979-2869.
- We ship vaccines only within the United States.
- Vaccines and other perishable items cannot be returned or refunded.
Frequently asked questions
What does Nobivac Lyme protect against?
Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. The label says it has also been shown to be effective against subclinical arthritis caused by B. burgdorferi.
What is the dose?
1 mL, injected subcutaneously with a 22 gauge or larger sterile needle. Let the vaccine warm to room temperature and mix well first.
How young can a puppy get it?
The label says the initial dose may be given at 8 weeks of age or older.
How many doses does a dog need?
Two. Give one 1 mL dose, then repeat it 2 to 4 weeks later. The label says two doses are required for primary immunization.
How long does the protection last?
The label says duration of immunity is at least 1 year. Ask your veterinarian or Merck about revaccination frequency.
Is Nobivac Lyme a live vaccine?
No. It is a bacterin, made from inactivated (killed) Borrelia burgdorferi.
Does it include distemper, parvo or lepto?
Do you carry tick control too?
Can I vaccinate a pregnant dog?
The label says this product has not been tested in pregnant bitches. Talk with your veterinarian first.
Is swelling at the injection site normal?
The label says transient soft tissue swelling may occur at the injection site. Call your veterinarian about any reaction that concerns you.
How should it be stored?
In the refrigerator at 2° to 8°C (35° to 46°F). Do not freeze.
How do you ship vaccines?
Vaccines ship UPS 2nd Day Air, packed in a styrofoam vaccine shipping cooler with 3 ice packs. The cooler and 3 ice packs are included at no extra charge. Extra ice packs beyond 3 can be added for a fee. Vaccine shipping is a flat rate by zone:
| Zone 1: $29.99 | KS, WI, OK, IL, LA, MI, AR, IN, MO, KY, IA, TN, MS, AL, GA, FL, SC, NC, VA, WV, PA, OH |
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| Zone 2: $39.99 | CT, MA, NJ, NY, RI, TX, VT, DE, MD |
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| Zone 3: $69.99 | CO, NM, NE, SD, ND, MN, CA, UT, NV, WY, AZ, MT, ID, WA, OR, ME, NH |
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| Other states (including AK and HI) | Call 800-979-2869 for a rate |
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Overnight shipping is available for an additional charge: note it in the order comments at checkout or call 800-979-2869.
The ice packs were melted when my order arrived. Is the vaccine OK?
Melted ice packs are expected. The packaging protects the vaccine from large temperature swings during the 2-day trip; it is not designed to arrive at refrigerator temperature. Refrigerate the vaccine as soon as it arrives. Overnight shipping is available on request: note it at checkout or call 800-979-2869.
Can I return vaccines?
No. Vaccines and other perishable items cannot be returned or refunded.
Who makes Nobivac Lyme?
Intervet Inc., doing business as Merck Animal Health, Omaha, Nebraska, under VLN 165A / PCN 2126.01. Merck's technical service line is 1-800-224-5318.
Why buy Nobivac Lyme from A to Z Vet Supply
- The full label directions. This page follows Merck's current label, including warming the vaccine, the needle size and the required second dose.
- Lyme vaccines from two makers. Nobivac Lyme from Merck and TruCan Lyme from Elanco.
- Based in Dresden, Tennessee. Our address is 9876 Hwy. 22, Dresden, TN 38225.
- Real people on the phone. Call 800-979-2869, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Central.
- Cooler and 3 ice packs included at no extra charge on every vaccine order, shipped UPS 2nd Day Air as described above.
Label information
From the current Nobivac Lyme label (Merck Animal Health):
Borrelia Burgdorferi Bacterin. For animal use only. In the absence of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, federal regulations prohibit the relabeling, repackaging, resale or redistribution of the individual contents of this package. Thimerosal free.
Indications: This product has been shown to be effective for vaccination of healthy dogs 8 weeks of age or older against Borrelia burgdorferi. Duration of Immunity is at least 1 year. To review efficacy and safety data, go to productdata.aphis.usda.gov. This product has also been shown to be effective against subclinical arthritis caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.
Dosage and administration: Allow the vaccine to warm to room temperature prior to use. Mix well. Inject one dose (1mL) subcutaneously using a 22 gauge or larger sterile needle. The initial dose may be given at 8 weeks of age or older. Repeat dose 2 to 4 weeks later. Two doses are required for primary immunization. Contact your veterinarian or manufacturer for more information on revaccination frequency.
Precautions: Store at 2°-8°C (35°-46°F). Do not freeze. Use new, non-chemically sterilized needles and syringes. Do not mix with other products. In case of human exposure, contact a physician.
Warnings: Contains gentamicin and amphotericin B as preservatives. Transient soft tissue swelling may occur at the injection site. Vaccinate only healthy, non-parasitized dogs. This product has not been tested in pregnant bitches. The use of a biological product may produce anaphylaxis and/or other inflammatory immune-mediated hypersensitivity reactions. Antidote: Epinephrine, corticosteroids, and antihistamines may all be indicated depending on the nature and severity of the reaction.
Intervet Inc. d/b/a Merck Animal Health, Omaha, NE 68103 USA. VLN 165A/PCN 2126.01. 1-800-224-5318.
This page summarizes the manufacturer's label and published product information. Always read and follow the label on the product you receive, and consult your veterinarian about the right vaccination program for your animals.
