Editors, Vineyard Gazette;

Lyme has been devastating here on Martha’s Vineyard as it has throughout New England. That was the reason I volunteered for the clinical trial conducted on the Vineyard in spite of vaccine fatigue after five Covid-19 jabs, and flu and pneumonia and shingles jabs.

After receiving two jabs of a Pfizer Lyme vaccine or placebo (pretty sure I got the live vaccine due to my reaction) I learned that the trial was suspended here due to Care Access failure to maintain proper clinical trial protocol — and I would have to agree.

From the phone interview to qualify me to my two trial visits, there was nothing tight and clinical about Care Access’s carefree approach — paperwork and consent laxness, poor use of trial visit time (two to three hours each), remoteness (literally) of clinicians, any empathy to why this trial was so important to us, and no physical connection to an on-Island care provider (an outdoor tent in December in New England is not a suitable clinical space for a multi-hour visit).

The Lyme trial is code-named Valor for good reason. Every Islander who volunteered to be jabbed is a selfless hero, not unlike those who took the first Covid19 vaccines. Too bad Care Access did not honor the pact we made with them and Pfizer — to donate our time and well-being for the chance to better everyone.

Yes, the trial continues elsewhere, but not with a community most impacted.

Michael Bellissimo

West Tisbury