How mRNA Vaccines Work (Covid-19 Pfizer and Moderna)

Here I describe a brief overview of how the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna mRNA vaccines work. Taking a vaccine is one’s personal choice, and I hope this video can help someone make that decision rooted in science.

There is a lot more information I wanted to cover, such as the immunity length over time, side effects, and non-mRNA vaccine technologies. We could discuss this for hours. But, the focus here is on the technology itself.

I do use some technical terms, please find them defined below. Im happy to hear questions and comments. Thank you for taking a little time to learn about RNA! 🧬

(technical terms: 3’UTR/5’UTR = untranslated regions of the mRNA that do not code for the protein but aid in stability. Lipid = fat molecule. Ribosome = cell machinery that makes proteins from mRNA. Macrophage = a white blood cell in our body that responds to infection. Antigen = foreign protein that antibodies detect.)

***Edits to two mistakes made: 1) the 5’ & 3’ UTRs are reversed 2) the T-Cell will destroy an incoming virus not macrophage

Cover Art by: Ananya Anmangandla

[herschelherndon]

As I listen to all this noise…This is such a clear and brief explanation of how the coronavirus vaccine works. And all this craziness out there! Send em this short clip that even a first grader or kindergartner can understand. But somehow, many adults can’t seem to get this explanation. Thanks Dr. Rob. 👍🏾💉👍🏾

[jeremybrown]

Hope this video blows up, this is a great explanation.

[microscopesalesandservice]

This is precisely the easy to understand language that we need to get out in the messaging. Thanks, Rob!

[CGAO-whzk]

Thank you Rob for making these videos!they are very helpful And are great explanations! Hope people can all watch these videos! It's great that you have versions in different languages! You are helping us to make vaccine decisions rooted in science. Well done!

[odiexx]

Three questions....

1. How many S proteins does the vaccine tell our cells to create compared to contracting the virus naturally?
2. How does the immune response of the body differ when exposed to the full pathogen versus just the antigen (Spike protein)?
3. What happens to the lipid or polymeric nanoparticles after they have brought the mRNA into our cells?

[dexterloder]

Thank you for making this video, Rob. Really digestible information for the layperson.

[post-scarcity]

Here's hoping this video gets 70 bajillion views. Nice one.

[thetedsingh]

How does this not have a million videos? Best explanation of the vaccine that I've seen

[rexlongfellow]

Amazing explanation...sending this to everyone I know.

[VinChrisPilot]

Top Shelf description ... will definitely was along!

[MultiBoobieviolator]

He looks like a well trusted medical professional

[MrEasiertolie]

This whole process is fvking amazing. Thank you for explaining!

[williamboyer]

Thank you for this video! I found it extremely educational and would be interested in any follow-on videos you post...especially your thoughts on potential side-effects, so I've subscribed to your channel. Thanks again!

[skylerhills]

1. This method of making vaccines uses which step of the Genetics Dogma to their benefit?

2. Which step of the Dogma is completely skipped?

3. Which body System responds to the mRNA injection?

4. At what part of the vaccination process does your body show signs (symptoms) of "infection"?

5. Try to explain this process to a friend or relative and write here about the experience.
Answers??

[frgmntTOB]

Excellent presentation!
Now that everybody seems to be driven to be an expert (against vaccination) some well presented factual knowledge is really necessary.
Thanks for this!

[ruthjiggly]

Thanks you so much for taking the time to explain how it works!

[Briaxident]

Great explanation my man. Do the 'homemade' spike proteins migrate to the surface of the cell or stay within the cytosol?

[salls]

Thank you for the fantastic explanation!

[maryvallecillo]

Amazing explanation! Can I adapt your presentation to Spanish in order to people from my origin country understand how the vaccine work? I am your big fan working as a biochemist research assistant @Utah

[hibernophile]

What a great explanation! I think you made it simple but not oversimplified, as this still addresses key concerns that people might have - namely, if you are giving me the code of a virus, will I get infected with the virus? Pointing out that the mRNA only encodes for one of the proteins, and not the entire virus, should offer some reassurance.