What are RNA vaccines?

You've probably heard the exciting news that the RNA vaccines for COVID-19 have been successful in clinical trials and are currently being shipped around the world! While exciting, new technologies can be intimidating and understandably, can raise a lot of questions and concerns. In this episode we review the history of traditional vaccines, explain the science behind RNA vaccines, and answer your questions about this novel vaccine.

How vaccines work article: https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(20)31237-X

Variolation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variolation#:~:text=Variolation%20was%20the%20method%20of,but%20protective%2C%20infection%20would%20result.

Vaccine types: https://www.vaccines.gov/basics/types

RNA vaccines: https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/the-promise-of-mrna-vaccines-68202

Immune system information: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/immune-disorders/biology-of-the-immune-system/overview-of-the-immune-system#:~:text=Human%20leukocyte%20antigens%20(HLA)%20are,to%20distinguish%20self%20from%20nonself.&text=An%20immune%20response%20is%20the,immune%20system%20to%20an%20antigen.

Moderna vaccine trial info: https://www.statnews.com/2020/11/16/modernas-covid-19-vaccine-is-strongly-effective-early-look-at-data-show/

Modern and Pfizer vaccines: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/11/17/covid-vaccines-what-you-need-to-know/?arc404=true

Vaccine efficacy: https://scroll.in/article/979627/a-statistician-explains-what-does-90-efficacy-for-a-covid-19-vaccine-mean

 

Follow us @steministaspod on Twitter and Instagram. You can email us at steministas@gmail.com