mRNA vaccines offer breakthrough on preventing cancer, viruses, and many other life-threatening diseases
By University
of British Columbia
Edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan
 |
| Bobby Kennedy Jr. has been trying to ban mRNA vaccines |
Published in The Lancet, the review draws on laboratory science,
clinical trials and real-world effectiveness data to provide one of the most
comprehensive assessments of mRNA vaccines to date. It spans the full vaccine
life cycle, from design and manufacturing to real-world performance and
monitoring.
By bringing this evidence together in a single resource, the
researchers aim to support health care providers, policymakers and the public
with clear, evidence-based information as new mRNA vaccines and therapies are
developed.
"After billions of doses, we now have an extraordinary
amount of scientific evidence," said lead author Dr. Anna Blakney,
assistant professor at UBC's Michael Smith Laboratories and School of
Biomedical Engineering.
"This review affirms that mRNA vaccines are a safe and
highly effective platform, supported by rigorous testing and real-world
monitoring. It provides an evidence-based foundation as this technology
continues to expand into new areas of medicine."
Building trust through evidence
The researchers emphasize that, like all vaccines, mRNA
vaccines can have side effects. They found that serious adverse events—such as
myocarditis, which occurs more frequently in younger males—are rare and
consistently outweighed by the vaccines' protection against severe illness,
hospitalization and death.
The findings confirm that mRNA vaccines provide strong
protection against infectious diseases, including severe COVID-19, across a
wide range of groups, including children, pregnant people and those who are
immunocompromised. Booster
doses were found to extend and strengthen that protection over time,
and regular updates to the vaccine formulation maintained efficacy as new
variants emerged.
"With any new vaccine or medicine, it is important that
we clearly and transparently communicate the safety data and rigorous testing
that supports their use," said co-author Dr. Manish Sadarangani, professor
of pediatrics at UBC and director of the Vaccine Evaluation Center at BC
Children's Hospital Research Institute. "This is essential to building
public trust, countering misinformation and supporting informed decisions about
vaccination."
The review addresses persistent misconceptions about how
mRNA vaccines work, clarifying that they do not alter a person's DNA. Instead,
the mRNA—encapsulated in a lipid nanoparticle delivery system pioneered by UBC researchers—provides temporary
instructions that allow human cells to produce a harmless piece of a virus,
training the immune system to respond. Both the mRNA and lipid nanoparticles
are quickly broken down and cleared from the body after use.
A platform for the future of medicine
Beyond COVID-19, the findings point to a rapidly expanding
future for mRNA technology. Researchers are already developing vaccines for
diseases such as influenza and RSV, as well as personalized cancer vaccines and
other RNA-based therapies.
"This is really about what comes next," Blakney
said. "We're seeing the same platform being applied to cancer treatment
and other diseases. Understanding how these vaccines work—and why they're
safe—helps build confidence in the next generation of medicines."
The authors highlight the importance of trust, access and
equity. While mRNA vaccines have proved highly effective, global uptake has
been uneven, shaped in part by misinformation and historical public mistrust in
health systems.
Rather than dismissing vaccine hesitancy, the researchers
argue it should be met with better communication and accessible, evidence-based
information.
"People should feel empowered to ask questions about
their health and what they put in their bodies," Blakney said. "Our
goal is to provide clear, credible evidence to inform these conversations and
decisions."
Expanding access will also be critical to realizing the full
potential of mRNA technology. The review calls for increased investment in
manufacturing capacity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, as
well as continued innovation to improve storage, distribution and cost.
"mRNA vaccines have already changed how we respond to global health threats," Sadarangani said. "With sustained innovation, strong safety monitoring and a commitment to equitable access, they can play a major role in preventing disease and improving health."
Safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines: a mechanistic and
public health perspective, The Lancet (2026). DOI:
10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00512-X
Journal information: The Lancet
