Washington, Aug 7 (AP) mRNA vaccines, credited with saving millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, were recently criticized by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He incorrectly stated that these vaccines are ineffective, justifying the Department of Health and Human Services' decision to halt USD 500 million in government-funded research on new vaccines using this technology. Kennedy, a well-known vaccine skeptic, shared in a video on X that mRNA vaccines are inadequate for preventing upper respiratory infections like COVID-19 and flu, advocating for alternative vaccine technologies.
While mRNA vaccines for diseases such as flu are in development, real-world data is currently available only for COVID-19. In 2023, the scientists whose work led to the creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 were awarded the Nobel Prize. Kennedy's claims, however, misunderstand how mRNA vaccines function, experts say. These vaccines are designed to prevent severe infection and death, though they cannot completely stop an infection from occurring initially. Years of research underscore the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines using mRNA technology.
KENNEDY: "As the pandemic showed us, mRNA vaccines don't perform well against viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract." THE FACTS: Scientific evidence strongly contradicts Kennedy's assertion. Numerous studies indicate that vaccinated individuals have far better outcomes against COVID-19 infections compared to the unvaccinated, with estimates suggesting that COVID-19 vaccines averted millions of deaths globally. Experts agree that mRNA vaccines do not entirely prevent respiratory diseases but are highly effective in reducing serious illness, complications, and death. For instance, an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 may hinder an upper respiratory tract infection from escalating to the lower respiratory tract, which could impair one's breathing.
Dr. Jake Scott, an infectious diseases physician at Stanford University School of Medicine, explained, "A vaccine cannot block a respiratory infection. That's never been the standard for a respiratory virus vaccine." He described Kennedy's perspective as "misguided." Jeff Coller, a professor of RNA biology and therapeutics at Johns Hopkins University, echoed this sentiment. "Vaccinations don't need to be neutralizing," Coller stated, emphasizing that the crucial role of vaccination is in reducing hospitalization and death — a testament to their effectiveness. HHS officials have not yet commented on Kennedy's claims.
Traditional vaccine development involves cultivating viruses or viral proteins, purifying them, and injecting a small dose to prepare the body for real infection. This method is time-intensive. In contrast, mRNA technology accelerates vaccine production and allows for quicker updates. The "m" in mRNA stands for messenger, as the vaccine carries genetic instructions enabling the body to produce proteins. By synthesizing mRNA in the lab, scientists create instructions for making the target protein. Once injected, these instructions prompt the body to become a mini-vaccine factory, generating enough proteins for the immune system to detect and respond.
Scott clarified that mRNA vaccines do not act as a "magic force field" against infections since the immune system only responds after a virus enters the body. This means COVID-19 could potentially cause a mild upper respiratory tract infection, but more serious outcomes are significantly less likely.
Extensive studies examining COVID-19 vaccines' effectiveness have been conducted since their introduction in late 2020. Although protection diminishes over time, these vaccines remain the strongest defense against severe illness and death. Notably, a 2024 World Health Organization study revealed that COVID-19 vaccines reduced deaths in its European region by 57%, saving over 1.4 million lives since December 2020. A 2022 study in Lancet Infectious Diseases estimated nearly 20 million lives were saved in the first year of vaccine availability, with millions of deaths averted in countries including India, the United States, Brazil, France, and the United Kingdom.
Additionally, a 2022 study in The New England Journal of Medicine reported that two mRNA vaccines were over 90% effective against COVID-19. Operation Warp Speed, a federal initiative begun under the Trump administration, significantly facilitated COVID-19 vaccine development and distribution.
"What's perplexing is why President Trump allows RFK Jr. to discredit his legacy tied to a medical breakthrough that saved millions," Coller remarked. "Why does Trump permit RFK to undermine the US's leadership in biomedical research and drug development?" (AP) GSP
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