What came after Covid could reshape medicine

(CN) — What began as a tool to fight Covid-19 could become a platform for treating a much wider range of diseases.

After billions of doses were administered worldwide, one of the most comprehensive reviews of mRNA vaccines to date concludes the technology is safe and highly effective, while showing promise far beyond Covid-19.

The review, published Tuesday in The Lancet, analyzed laboratory research, clinical trials and real-world data spanning the development, testing and monitoring of mRNA vaccines.

Researchers say the technology has proven highly effective at preventing severe infectious disease and could pave the way for new vaccines and treatments targeting illnesses ranging from influenza and RSV to cancer.

“After billions of doses, we now have an extraordinary amount of scientific evidence,” said lead author Anna Blakney, an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia’s Michael Smith Laboratories and School of Biomedical Engineering, in a news release.

“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,” she said.

The researchers found that serious side effects are rare and are outweighed by the vaccines’ protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death.

The scientists noted that myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, occurs more frequently among younger males than other groups, but found the condition to be uncommon overall.

They also said the vaccines continued to provide strong protection across a wide range of populations, including children, pregnant people and those who are immunocompromised. Booster doses extended that protection over time, while updated vaccine formulations remained effective as new Covid-19 variants emerged.

The review also addresses several misconceptions that have persisted since mRNA vaccines were first introduced during the pandemic.

Researchers emphasize mRNA vaccines do not alter a person’s DNA. Instead, the vaccines deliver temporary genetic instructions that allow cells to produce a harmless piece of a virus, prompting the immune system to recognize and respond to future infections.

Both the mRNA and the lipid nanoparticles that deliver it are broken down and cleared from the body after use.

“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 Manish Sadarangani, professor of pediatrics at the University of British Columbia and director of the Vaccine Evaluation Center at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, in the news release. “This is essential to building public trust, countering misinformation and supporting informed decisions about vaccination.”

Beyond infectious diseases, researchers say the same technology is rapidly being adapted for other medical uses.

Experimental vaccines targeting influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, are already under development, along with personalized cancer vaccines and other RNA-based therapies.

“This is really about what comes next,” said Blakney. “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 argue that expanding access will be key to realizing the technology’s full potential. They call for continued investment in manufacturing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, along with improvements in vaccine storage, distribution and affordability.

They say public trust is just as important. Rather than dismissing vaccine hesitancy, they argue that concerns should be met with transparent communication and accessible, evidence-based information.

“People should feel empowered to ask questions about their health and what they put in their bodies,” said Blakney. “Our goal is to provide clear, credible evidence to inform these conversations and decisions.”