How do mRNA vaccines teach the immune system to recognize a virus?
Quick Answer
They deliver genetic instructions that tell cells to make a harmless viral protein, usually for a short time. The immune system then learns to recognize that protein and respond faster later.
The Full Story
mRNA vaccines work by giving cells a temporary set of instructions for making one viral protein, not the whole virus. In the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, that protein is the spike protein, which helps the immune system recognize SARS-CoV-2. The mRNA is broken down quickly by the body after it is used, while immune cells build memory against the protein. This approach was especially notable because it allowed vaccine development to move very quickly during the 2020 pandemic.
Key Facts
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