A comprehensive global review led by researchers at the University of British Columbia has found that mRNA vaccines – now administered billions of times a day worldwide – are safe and highly effective at preventing infectious diseases like COVID-19, and have potential applications for many other diseases, including influenza, RSV, cancer and autoimmune disorders.
Published today in The LancetThe review draws on laboratory science, clinical trials, and real-world effectiveness data to provide one of the most comprehensive assessments of mRNA vaccines to date. This spans the entire vaccine lifecycle, from design and manufacturing to real-world performance and monitoring.
By bringing this evidence together in a single resource, researchers aim to support healthcare providers, policy makers, and the public with clear, evidence-based information as new mRNA vaccines and treatments are developed.
“After billions of doses, we now have an extraordinary amount of scientific evidence,” said lead author Dr. Anna Blackney, an assistant professor in UBC’s Michael Smith Laboratories and School of Biomedical Engineering. “This review confirms that mRNA vaccines are a safe and highly effective platform, supported by rigorous testing and real-world monitoring. It provides an evidence-based foundation as this technology continues to expand into new areas of therapy.”
Building Trust Through Evidence
The researchers emphasize that, like all vaccines, mRNA vaccines can have side effects. They found that serious adverse events – such as myocarditis, which occurs more frequently in younger men – are rare and consistently reduced by the vaccines’ protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death.
The findings confirm that mRNA vaccines provide strong protection against infectious diseases, including severe COVID-19, in diverse groups, including children, pregnant people and those with weakened immunity. It found that booster doses extend and strengthen that protection over time, and regular updates to vaccine formulations maintained efficacy as new variants emerged.
“As with any new vaccine or medicine, it is important that we clearly and transparently communicate the safety data and rigorous testing that supports their use,” said co-author Dr. Manish Sadarangani, professor of pediatrics at UBC and director of the Vaccine Evaluation Center at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. “This is essential to building public trust, countering misinformation and supporting informed decisions about vaccination.”
The review addresses persistent misconceptions about how mRNA vaccines work, clarifying that they do not alter a person’s DNA. Instead, mRNA encapsulated in a lipid nanoparticle delivery system pioneered by UBC researchers provides temporary instructions that allow human cells to produce a harmless fragment of the virus, thereby training the immune system to respond. Both mRNA and lipid nanoparticles are quickly broken down and cleared from the body after use.
A platform for the future of medicine
Beyond COVID-19, the findings point to a booming future for mRNA technology. Researchers are already developing vaccines for diseases like influenza and RSV, as well as personalized cancer vaccines and other RNA-based treatments.
“It’s really about what happens next,” Dr. Blackney said. “We are seeing the same platform being applied to treat cancer and other diseases. Understanding how these vaccines work – and why they are safe – helps build confidence in the next generation of medicines.”
The authors highlight the importance of trust, access and equality. While mRNA vaccines have proven highly effective, their use globally has been uneven, partly due to misinformation and historical public distrust in health systems.
Rather than dismissing vaccine hesitancy, researchers argue it should be met with better communication and accessible, evidence-based information.
“People should feel empowered to ask questions about their health and what they put into their bodies,” Dr. Blackney said. “Our goal is to provide clear, credible evidence to inform these conversations and decisions.”
Expanding access will also be important to realize the full potential of mRNA technology. The review calls for continued innovation to improve warehousing, distribution and costs, along with increased investment in manufacturing capacity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
“MRNA vaccines have already changed how we respond to global health threats,” said Dr. Sadarangani. “With continued innovation, strong safety monitoring and a commitment to equitable access, they can play a major role in preventing disease and improving health.”
This study was supported by salary awards from the Canada Research Chairs Program, Michael Smith Health Research BC, and the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Interview Languages: English.
Featured Researcher
Pro. Anna Blakeney, PhD
Assistant Professor, Michael Smith Laboratories and School of Biomedical Engineering
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