mRNA Vaccines: A New Era in Disease Prevention
So-called mRNA vaccines have saved millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, scientists are utilizing this Nobel Prize-winning technology to develop vaccines and treatments against various diseases, including cancer and cystic fibrosis.
However, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine critic, has canceled $500 million in government-funded research projects for new mRNA vaccines against respiratory illnesses.
This decision dismays infectious disease experts, who note that mRNA allows for faster production of shots than older vaccine-production methods, buying precious time if another pandemic were to emerge.
Author's summary: mRNA vaccines show promise against various diseases.