Introduction to mRNA Vaccines
The use of mRNA vaccines has revolutionized the field of medicine, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. These vaccines have saved millions of lives and have paved the way for the development of new treatments against various diseases, including cancer and cystic fibrosis. However, despite their potential, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has canceled $500 million in government-funded research projects to create new mRNA vaccines against respiratory illnesses.
The Importance of mRNA Technology
Infectious disease experts have expressed dismay over the cancellation of these research projects, citing the benefits of mRNA technology in producing vaccines quickly. Unlike traditional vaccine-production methods, mRNA technology allows for faster production of shots, which can be crucial in the event of another pandemic. According to Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota, using mRNA technology could enable the vaccination of the entire world within a year, whereas traditional methods would take 18 months to produce enough vaccine for only a quarter of the world’s population.
How mRNA Technology Works
Traditionally, making vaccines required growing viruses or pieces of viruses called proteins in giant vats of cells or chicken eggs and then purifying them. However, this process takes a long time. mRNA technology, on the other hand, is a faster process. The "m" in mRNA stands for messenger, meaning it carries instructions for our bodies to make proteins. Scientists have figured out how to harness this natural process by making mRNA in a lab. They take a snippet of the genetic code that carries instructions for making the protein they want the vaccine to target and inject it into the body. This instructs the body to become its own mini-vaccine factory, making enough copies of the protein for the immune system to recognize and react.
The COVID-19 Vaccines
While the COVID-19 vaccines made with mRNA have been highly effective, they are not perfect. Years of research have shown that protection from COVID-19 vaccines, including those made with mRNA and traditional technology, does wane over time. However, the vaccinations provide the strongest protection against severe infection and death, even if people still become infected. The COVID-19 vaccines made with mRNA by Pfizer and Moderna can be updated more quickly each year than traditional types, which has led to multiple companies developing other vaccines using the technology.
Beyond Traditional Vaccines
mRNA technology is not limited to traditional vaccines. Osterholm counts about 15 infectious disease vaccines that could benefit from mRNA technology. Additionally, many disease therapies take aim at proteins, making mRNA a potential technique for developing new treatments. Researchers are already testing an mRNA-based therapeutic vaccine for pancreatic cancer, and genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis are also being targeted.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mRNA vaccines have revolutionized the field of medicine, and their potential extends far beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the cancellation of research projects, scientists continue to explore the possibilities of mRNA technology in developing new treatments against various diseases. As research continues to advance, it is likely that mRNA vaccines will play an increasingly important role in protecting public health.
FAQs
Q: What is mRNA technology?
A: mRNA technology is a process that uses messenger RNA to instruct the body to make proteins. This process is used to develop vaccines and treatments against various diseases.
Q: How does mRNA technology work?
A: mRNA technology works by taking a snippet of the genetic code that carries instructions for making the protein they want the vaccine to target and injecting it into the body. This instructs the body to become its own mini-vaccine factory, making enough copies of the protein for the immune system to recognize and react.
Q: What are the benefits of mRNA technology?
A: The benefits of mRNA technology include faster production of shots, which can be crucial in the event of another pandemic. Additionally, mRNA technology can be used to develop new treatments against various diseases, including cancer and genetic diseases.
Q: Are mRNA vaccines perfect?
A: No, mRNA vaccines are not perfect. While they have been highly effective, protection from COVID-19 vaccines, including those made with mRNA and traditional technology, does wane over time. However, the vaccinations provide the strongest protection against severe infection and death, even if people still become infected.
Q: What is the future of mRNA technology?
A: The future of mRNA technology is promising, with scientists continuing to explore its possibilities in developing new treatments against various diseases. As research continues to advance, it is likely that mRNA vaccines will play an increasingly important role in protecting public health.
By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — So-called mRNA vaccines saved millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic — and now scientists are using that Nobel Prize-winning technology to try to develop vaccines and treatments against a long list of diseases including cancer and cystic fibrosis.
But this week, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine critic, canceled $500 million in government-funded research projects to create new mRNA vaccines against respiratory illnesses that might trigger another health emergency.
That dismays infectious disease experts who note that mRNA allows faster production of shots than older vaccine-production methods, buying precious time if another pandemic were to emerge.
Using older technology to target a pandemic flu strain would take 18 months to “make enough vaccine to vaccinate only about one-fourth of the world,” said Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota, an expert on pandemic preparation. But using mRNA technology “could change that dramatically, such that by the end of the first year, we could vaccinate the world.”
How mRNA technology works
Traditionally, making vaccines required growing viruses or pieces of viruses called proteins — often in giant vats of cells or, like most flu shots, in chicken eggs — and then purifying them. Injecting a small dose as a vaccine trains the body how to recognize when a real infection hits so it’s ready to fight back.
But that technology takes a long time. Using mRNA is a faster process.
The “m” stands for messenger, meaning mRNA carries instructions for our bodies to make proteins. Scientists figured out how to harness that natural process by making mRNA in a lab.
They take a snippet of that genetic code that carries instructions for making the protein they want the vaccine to target. Injecting that snippet instructs the body to become its own mini-vaccine factory, making enough copies of the protein for the immune system to recognize and react.
The COVID-19 vaccines aren’t perfect
Years of research show protection from COVID-19 vaccines — both the types made with mRNA and a type made with traditional technology — does wane over time. The vaccinations provide the strongest protection against severe infection and death, even if people still become infected.
But that’s a common feature with both the coronavirus and flu because both viruses continually mutate. That’s the reason we’re told to get a flu vaccine every year — using vaccines made with traditional methods, not mRNA.
Today’s COVID-19 vaccines made with mRNA by Pfizer and Moderna can be updated more quickly each year than traditional types, an advantage that now has multiple companies developing other vaccines using the technology.
Traditional vaccines aren’t the only use for mRNA
Osterholm counts about 15 infectious disease vaccines that could benefit from mRNA technology, but that’s not the only potential. Many disease therapies take aim at proteins, making mRNA a potential technique for developing new treatments. Researchers already are testing an mRNA-based therapeutic vaccine for pancreatic cancer. Genetic diseases are another target, such as an experimental inhaled therapy for cystic fibrosis.
AP video journalist Nathan Ellgren contributed to this report.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Originally Published: August 6, 2025 at 1:40 PM EDT
