Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Vial containing Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, one of the first mRNA vaccines to be approved for use in humans. (more) mRNA vaccine medicine Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/mRNA-vaccine Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: messenger RNA vaccine Written by Kara Rogers Kara Rogers is the senior editor of biomedical sciences at Encyclopædia Britannica, where she oversees a range of content from medicine and genetics to microorganisms. She joined Britannica in 2006 and... Kara Rogers Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Jan 29, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is an mRNA vaccine? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "An mRNA vaccine uses a synthetic version of messenger RNA to instruct cells to produce a particular protein that trains the immune system to recognize and destroy the targeted disease-associated entity." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How do mRNA vaccines differ from traditional vaccines? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Vaccines based on mRNA use synthetic technologies, without any need for live pathogen particles. This differs from traditional vaccines, which typically use weakened or inactivated pathogens to prompt an immune response." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What were the first mRNA vaccines approved for human use? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The first mRNA vaccines approved for human use were the COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna in 2020." } } ] } Top Questions What is an mRNA vaccine? An mRNA vaccine uses a synthetic version of messenger RNA to instruct cells to produce a particular protein that trains the immune system to recognize and destroy the targeted disease-associated entity.

　　How do mRNA vaccines differ from traditional vaccines? Vaccines based on mRNA use synthetic technologies, without any need for live pathogen particles. This differs from traditional vaccines, which typically use weakened or inactivated pathogens to prompt an immune response.

　　What were the first mRNA vaccines approved for human use? The first mRNA vaccines approved for human use were the COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna in 2020.

　　mRNA vaccine, type of vaccine that uses a synthetic version of a molecule known as messenger RNA (mRNA) to instruct cells in the body to produce a specific protein that trains the immune system to recognize and destroy the targeted disease-associated entity. Vaccines based on mRNA rely primarily on synthetic technologies, without any need for actual pathogen particles. This differs from traditional vaccines, which use a weakened or inactivated form of a pathogen to prompt an immune response that provides protection against future infections. The first mRNA vaccines approved for use in humans were the COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech ...(100 of 621 words)

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