RNA vaccine

RNA vaccine

RNA vaccines, also known as mRNA vaccines, represent a significant advancement in immunology and disease prevention. As a novel approach to vaccination, these vaccines aim to protect against infectious diseases by triggering an immune response against specific proteins of a pathogen.

Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]

Unlike traditional vaccines, which often introduce an inactivated or attenuated pathogen into the body to stimulate an immune response, mRNA vaccines utilize a fundamentally different method. They work by instructing our cells to synthesize a protein—or a fragment of a protein—that the immune system recognizes as foreign.

This protein is usually a part of a virus (like the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein), and its presence activates the immune system, leading to the production of antibodies. These antibodies then equip the immune system to fight off the actual virus if the individual is later exposed.

Advantages[edit | edit source]

mRNA vaccines offer several advantages over traditional vaccine types:

Speed of development: The production of mRNA vaccines is faster since it relies on readily available genetic sequences and standard biochemical techniques. This speed was demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when mRNA vaccines were among the first to be developed and approved for emergency use.

Safety: mRNA vaccines do not contain live virus, reducing the risk of the vaccine causing disease in the vaccinated individual. Furthermore, the mRNA does not integrate into the host genome, minimizing potential long-term side effects.

Versatility: The design of mRNA vaccines can be easily altered to target different diseases, including emerging infectious diseases, by swapping the mRNA sequence.

Current Use[edit | edit source]

mRNA vaccines gained widespread recognition and use during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine being the first two authorized for emergency use.

While these are the first mRNA vaccines to be widely used in humans, researchers are also investigating their potential use in vaccines against other diseases, such as influenza, Zika, and even some forms of cancer.