mRNA vaccines are a class of vaccines that deliver synthetic messenger RNA encoding a target antigen, instructing the recipient's own cells to produce that protein and thereby provoke a protective immune response. For SARS-CoV-2, the encoded antigen is typically the spike glycoprotein, which on expression is recogni…
mRNA vaccines are a class of vaccines that deliver synthetic messenger RNA encoding a target antigen, instructing the recipient's own cells to produce that protein and thereby provoke a protective immune response. For SARS-CoV-2, the encoded antigen is typically the spike glycoprotein, which on expression is recognised by the immune system to generate neutralising antibodies and T-cell responses without the use of live or inactivated virus. The mRNA is generally encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles that protect it from degradation and facilitate cellular uptake, after which the antigen is transiently translated and then naturally cleared, as the mRNA does not enter the cell nucleus or integrate into the genome. This platform enables rapid design and manufacture once a target sequence is known, an advantage that proved decisive during the COVID-19 pandemic and that extends in principle to other infectious diseases. As with all vaccines, mRNA products are evaluated for efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety through clinical trials and ongoing pharmacovigilance, including seroprevalence studies after vaccination and the monitoring and investigation of adverse events. Research continues into the durability of protection, responses to emerging variants, and the broader application of the technology, making mRNA vaccination a significant and actively studied development in modern immunology and preventive medicine.
7 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 7 articles above have been cited 4 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on MRNA Vaccines, linking to each citing work.