How Do mRNA Vaccines Work? Here's What You Should Know

Messenger RNA—or mRNA—vaccines have been in development for decades, and are now approved for use against COVID-19.

Here's how they work and what you should know about them.

[shadowman]

I have a good question. What happens to the cells that produced the spike proteins? Are they killed? how many cells are affected and produce them? Does the body start attacking it's own cells as a result?

thanks!

[JC-gpfc]

Question: So it states that this mRNA is 'NEW', but not unknown -in development for decades... Why is it that mRNA vaccines have only been introduced now for Covid and not previously utilised for other viruses & diseases? If it is safe & given that it is emphasized, how much suffering we are saved by not having to suffer with the actual illness (from weakened strains used in (all?) the other type of vaccine)?? There must be a good reason why mRNA vaccines have been developed & worked with for "decades".... but NOT made it to mainstream use/the preferred choice of vaccine type... until now???!

[chrisb]

So, mrna delivers the instructions "to the cell" to make the spike protein. What part of the cell, exactly, makes the spike protein?
What stops the mRNA from entering the nucleus?
How do we know the spike protein doesn't break off and go AWOL?
How do we know that we should not be concerned that the toll-like receptor #4 has been down-regulated to reduce the immune response to the mrna? Why won't that impact how our immune system acts against other pathogens?
Natural immunity is almost inarguably more robust and durable than induced immunity. Why would we still want further risks from the pathogenic spike protein, when there is likely to be almost zero benefit, and only risk? Natural lasts longer, and operates on more levels, and does not have just a narrow focus solely on the spike protein. That means there is less chance for virus to mutate in ways that evade the immune response.

[jehanne]

What mechanisms would explain the rare possible reported side effects such as myocarditis, clotting, and thrombosis? Would this come from the spike protein itself or is it the result of the immune system destroying the cells that have been instructed by the mRNA to produce spike proteins?

[BeStill]

Why have mRNA vaccines never been used before, although they’ve been studied for 20 years?

[rogermacias]

Question: if we don't know how long natural immunity from having covid lasts, do we know how long immunity granted by the vaccine lasts? How often will we need a new jab, every 6 months, every year?

[keilynsophia]

I understand this process almost completely. There's just one thing I want to know: what cells of mine does my immune system attack and kill because those cells absorbed the mRNA and are producing this spike protein? Phagocites? Muscle cells? Dendritic cells?

How many? I'm imagining I'm sacrificing billions of my own cells to train my body how to fight the virus. How long does it take my body to recover these sacrificed cells?

[minoX]

I am for vaccine but I have a question:
If you say as per the video that even if you recovered from covid 19 you still need the vaccine because the protection will not last what make you believe the vaccine protection will last? Otherwise why vaccinate or at least why vaccinate the ones who have antibodies??

[JSmith-cexf]

One question that doesn't seem to be addressed in these types of videos/articles: What is the likelihood that an mRNA vaccine could either create an autoimmune disorder or trigger/bring out an underlying autoimmune disorder? It seems the vaccine teaches your body to destroy something that was created by your own cells. That sounds an awful lot like an autoimmune disorder. And it's very disturbing to think about the body creating a permanent immune response to something that it shouldn't be attacking. Up to this point the only reassurance we have is that it seems this hasn't happened in the millions of people who have already been vaccinated. Is there anything else that anyone can point to that could answer this concern?

[garyvahl]

So why did it start with 1 shot, then 2 now boosters. Israel is the most vaccinated country in the world and they now having outbreaks.

[SuperAnchored]

Once the cell expresses the spike protein on its surface, our body recognizes it as not normal (not a proper self) and then what happens? All the videos stop at the same place, clearly more happens and we don't want a bunch of spikey cells hanging out in our body. Does a phagocyte come along, destroy the cell and present it to B cells and then we make antibodies and then the body cleans up all these spikey cells? What happens if one of these cells is a neuron?

[MenGrowingTOWin]

How long does the MRNA remain in the body, instructing our cells to produce these fragments?

[larryjohnson]

great info but the music is horrendously distracting (too loud)

[fixmysync]

What would happen if someone's body didn't make any antibodies when the spike proteins entered their cells? Is that a possibility for people with compromised immune systems?

[wilsoncua]

so if you were infected by the Whole Virus which aside from the spike protien present a slew of othet prptien that can stimulate an immunr response.
you are say that exposure to the spike protien along is bettet than exposure to a whole virus and confers a longer immunr protection?

[eugenolsen]

So how does the vaccine produce a better immunity than an infection and recovery of covid? (which is the assumption in that you should be vaccinated even if you've had it)

[Bluefire]

How is the mRNA teaching the cell to recreate the spike protein if it doesn't enter the nucleus?

[YoureNowOnTV]

Good to see an informative video. 
Why on Earth was such loud background music added to something people need to concentrate on what's being said though? 🤷‍♂️🎶

[jg]

What happens to all the ingredients used to transport the mRNA into cells once it connects with a cell? Do the sugar, lipids, PEG molecules stay within the cell and repopulate, or end up staying in the body for a prolonged period? How does the body get rid of them?

[geraldmurchadha]

The video says people who have already been infected with COVID should get the vaccine because one one knows how long the natural antibodies last. Do we know how long the mRNA vaccine stays in someone's system? Seems unprecedented in medicine to vaccinate someone who already has the disease (e.g., no one suggests I get the flu or measles vaccine after I've had the disease and recovered).