mRNA vaccines have not worked well for a long time. The body destroys artificial mRNA, sometimes before it even reaches the cells. Better techniques and, above all, protective enzymes on the blueprints were needed to solve this problem. New vaccines can now be produced comparatively quickly. In the case of Sars-CoV-2, the vaccine manufacturers also changed the mRNA. It provides a very stable version of the spike protein. One that’s more easily recognized by the immune system than the original version, which had the protein wobble oddly.
In January 2020, the genome of the coronavirus was published. A week later the RNA for the vaccine was available. And the first clinical tests started in March.
Vaccines do not make everyone immune to diseases. Crucially, however, they protect a population as a whole. The key to a successful vaccination program is immunizing enough people to achieve what is known as “herd immunity.” The virus then finds fewer and fewer people to infect. Ideally, until the disease is completely eradicated. As long as there are some cases of illness, there is still a risk.
Video Series: »Decoded«
What exactly is a virus? How do machines learn? And what happens in a black hole? In the video series of »Scientific American« and »Spectrum der Wissenschaft« we decode fundamental questions from research and science.
See the English-language version at “Scientific American”.
Humans have been developing vaccines for centuries. They have never been the focus of attention as they are today.
Sars-CoV-2 showed how quickly pathogens spread in a globalized world. Is humanity up to the challenge? Can she achieve herd immunity? Or will the virus cause permanent problems? It’s not just about Covid-19, but also about developing efficient strategies against future epidemics. Because it is more than likely that a pandemic pathogen will occur again.
Vaccines ensure the well-being of society – and perhaps also our survival now and in the future.