New mRNA vaccine is effective, adaptable, and cheaper

A new mRNA vaccine shows promise in being more effective, adaptable, and less expensive to produce, according to a recent study. This could revolutionize vaccine development. Researchers found the new vaccine platform is more scalable and can adapt to evolving viruses like SARS-CoV-2. It uses a "trans-amplifying" approach, requiring 40 times less mRNA than current vaccines, reducing costs. The study, published in npj Vaccines, also used a "consensus spike protein" to target multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants. This approach could lead to broader, more lasting immunity and be applied to other viruses.