4 things about mRNA COVID vaccines researchers still want to find out
08 Feb 2021 | 3 mins
This article
by Associate Professor Archa Fox from UWA's School of Molecular Sciences and Harry Al-Wassiti from Monash University originally appeared in
The Conversation
on 2 February 2021.
The first mRNA vaccines approved for use in humans — the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines — are being rolled out around the world.
These vaccines deliver mRNA, coated in lipid (fat), into cells. Once inside, your body uses instructions in the mRNA to make SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. The immune response protects around 95% of people vaccinated with either vaccine from developing COVID-19.