How Do mRNA Vaccines Work?

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Two of the vaccines we have for COVID-19 have the distinction of being the first mRNA vaccines to see widespread use in humans. But how do they work, and how are they different from the litany of immunizations you probably got as a kid?

Hosted by: Rose Bear Don't Walk

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Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
https://www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19-vaccines/
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/downloads/vacsafe-understand-color-office.pdf
https://microbiologysociety.org/why-microbiology-matters/what-is-microbiology/microbes-and-the-human-body/immune-system.html
https://www.cell.com/immunity/fulltext/S1074-7613(10)00368-7
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Images:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pfizer-BioNTech_COVID-19_vaccine_(2020)_E.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoplasmic_reticulum#/media/File:Animal_Cell.svg