Is the technology behind the mRNA vaccines new?
The therapeutic use of mRNA has been a subject of inquiry for around 30 years. Carried out more than 10 years ago, the first clinical studies of mRNA as a therapeutic tool centred on the treatment of cancer patients. The technology itself has therefore been around for a long time. That said, the fact that mRNA vaccines have gained such prominence in the battle against the coronavirus is also owing to the current public-health crisis. While the basic technology and specific applications have long been the subject of research, significant investment in further development was lacking. This situation changed suddenly with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- What is an mRNA and what is its function?
- How do mRNA vaccines work?
- Which mRNA vaccines are approved or under development in Switzerland?
- Does the mRNA vaccine affect our genetic material?
- What do the approved mRNA vaccines contain?
- What side effects are known and expected for the approved mRNA vaccines?
- How effective are the approved mRNA vaccines?
- How and why are mRNAs modified for the vaccines?
- Is the technology behind the mRNA vaccines new?
- Why were mRNA vaccines earlier available than conventional vaccines?