Explaining mRNA Vaccines

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven an intense effort to manufacture a vaccine that will safely protect people from the virus. In recent weeks, much-anticipated news has brought headlines regarding the rise of mRNA vaccine technology. But what exactly is an mRNA vaccine, and how is it different from a traditional vaccine?

What Is mRNA?

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a type of genetic material found in organisms. It functions as a messenger, transporting instructions from a cell’s DNA to the ribosomes that build proteins. mRNA is believed to allow organisms to respond rapidly to changing conditions in their environment.

How Do mRNA Vaccines Work?

mRNA vaccines use the same genetic material and process that create proteins in the body. In the COVID-19 vaccine, the mRNA contains instructions to create a harmless version of the virus spike protein. When introduced into the body, the mRNA instructs our cells to produce the protein, which stimulates an immune response. Because this version of the protein is harmless, the body develops an immunological memory, preparing it to fight off the actual virus if it encounters it in the future.

What Are the Benefits of mRNA Vaccines?

The development of mRNA vaccines present a number of advantages over traditional vaccine methods. Because they do not require the use of a live virus or the introduction of attenuated virus particles into the body, mRNA vaccines are believed to be safer than other options.

They are also easier and faster to develop. To create a typical vaccine, scientists must cultivate a weakened version of the virus and purify it. This process can take months and even years. But with mRNA vaccines, scientists simply create the mRNA and package it in a delivery vehicle before it is injected into the body.

Modern mRNA vaccine technology has been in development since the late 1990s, and the pandemic has provided a unique demonstration of its potential. Although the vaccine must still complete standard clinical trials and receive Food and Drug Administration certification, the speed of the development process is unprecedented.

Conclusion

The mRNA vaccine is an example of modern science and technology at work, providing hope that a way out of the COVID-19 pandemic can be found. As the vaccine continues to undergo clinical trials and receive necessary certification, the general public should gain a better understanding of this innovative approach to vaccine production.