A comprehensive global review led by the University of British Columbia (UBC) shows that messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are not only highly effective in fighting infectious diseases, but their overall safety is also supported by strong evidence. The research team compiled data from laboratory studies, clinical trials, and real-world monitoring to conduct a systematic review of this relatively novel vaccine technology from design to production to long-term performance.
Anna Blakney, first author of the paper and assistant professor in UBC's Michael Smith Laboratory and School of Biomedical Engineering, said that after billions of doses of mRNA vaccines have been administered around the world, the scientific community has an "extraordinary amount of evidence." She pointed out that this review confirmed that the mRNA vaccine platform is "safe and highly effective" and has undergone rigorous testing and continuous real-world monitoring, providing an evidence-based basis for the expansion of this technology in more medical fields. The research team hopes that by integrating disparate studies and data into a large, peer-reviewed analysis, it will make it easier for health care professionals, the public and policymakers to obtain reliable information about emerging mRNA therapies.
The researchers emphasized that, like any vaccine, side effects may occur with the mRNA vaccine. One type that has attracted public attention is serious complications such as myocarditis, but the review points out that such events are generally very rare. Scientists criticize that some public opinion exaggerates these rare risks while downplaying or even ignoring the large amount of evidence showing that mRNA technology has a significant protective effect in preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death.
The evaluation results show that the mRNA vaccine is equally safe and effective in children, pregnant people, and people with compromised immune function. Data also confirm that booster shots can further enhance and prolong immune protection, and the importance of corresponding vaccination is self-evident. In the context of the continuous mutation of the virus, the research team pointed out that vaccines need to be continuously updated to deal with newly emerging virus strains, which also highlights the advantages of mRNA technology in rapid response.
Manish Sadarangani, professor of pediatrics at UBC and director of the Vaccine Evaluation Center at BC Children's Hospital, said that for any new vaccine or drug, clear and transparent communication of safety data and the rigorous testing process behind it is crucial. He believes this is key to building public trust, countering misinformation and helping people make informed vaccination decisions.
The review also responds to widely circulated vaccine misconceptions, one of which is that "mRNA vaccines alter human DNA." The research team clearly stated that this statement is wrong: the mRNA is delivered to the body through lipid nanoparticles, providing the immune system with instructions for making a certain "viral fragment" that itself is harmless. For "new enemies" such as the new coronavirus, cells in the body's adaptive immune system have never encountered them before. mRNA technology "trains" these cells to recognize the key structures of the virus in advance, so that they can respond quickly when a real infection occurs and prevent the development of serious diseases. After completing their mission, the relevant mRNA instructions and lipid nanoparticles will be broken down and excreted from the body, and will not stay in the body for a long time.
In addition to the new coronavirus, scientists are extending mRNA technology to other important pathogens such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and are also exploring its potential in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Blakeney noted that this work is "more about what comes next": The same technology platform is being used to treat cancer and other diseases, and a deeper understanding of how these vaccines work and why they are safe can help build stronger confidence in the next generation of drugs.
The research team also reminded that vaccine hesitancy is a complex social problem that has triggered a large number of studies in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and many other countries in recent years, especially after the promotion of the new crown vaccine. The relevant definition of the World Health Organization believes that vaccine hesitant groups are highly diverse and have varying degrees of uncertainty about their attitudes toward specific vaccines or overall vaccination. For this group of people, scientists emphasize that they should not simply deny or belittle them, but should make evidence-based information as accessible as possible. Blakeney said people have the right to ask questions about their health and what they put into their bodies, and the research team's goal is to provide clear, credible evidence to support these discussions and choices.
In addition to information accessibility, the team also highlighted the issue of affordability, calling on low- and middle-income countries to increase investment in mRNA technology to ensure more equitable vaccine access. Sardarangani pointed out that mRNA vaccines have changed the way humans respond to global health threats, and with continued innovation, strong safety monitoring and a commitment to equitable access, this technology is expected to play a greater role in preventing disease and improving public health. According to reports, this review study has been published in the medical journal "The Lancet" and was further interpreted and promoted in a press release issued by UBC.