Preclinical models detailed in the journal Nature Communications have shown that the jab against the avian influenza virus H5N1 is highly effective in preventing severe disease and death.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania said the vaccine could potentially help control outbreaks of the H5N1 virus spreading in birds and cattle in the US, and also prevent human infection with the virus.
According to Scott Hensley, professor of microbiology at the university's Peralma School of Medicine, mRNA technology enables scientists "to be more agile in developing vaccines."
Scott said mRNA vaccines could be created "within hours of sequencing a new viral strain with pandemic potential."
mRNA vaccines are easily and quickly adapted to protect against different strains of influenza viruses, and their development does not require eggs, which most current influenza vaccines do.
The new mRNA vaccine targets a specific subtype of the H5N1 virus and has been found to be able to elicit a strong antibody and T-cell response in mice and ferrets.
Importantly, high levels of antibodies remained in the animals even a year after vaccination.
In people infected with H5N1, the vaccine helped clear the virus more quickly and show fewer symptoms than unvaccinated people.
Compared to vaccinated animals, almost all of the unvaccinated animals died after H5N1 infection, the researchers said.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania said the vaccine could potentially help control outbreaks of the H5N1 virus spreading in birds and cattle in the US, and also prevent human infection with the virus.
According to Scott Hensley, professor of microbiology at the university's Peralma School of Medicine, mRNA technology enables scientists "to be more agile in developing vaccines."
Scott said mRNA vaccines could be created "within hours of sequencing a new viral strain with pandemic potential."
mRNA vaccines are easily and quickly adapted to protect against different strains of influenza viruses, and their development does not require eggs, which most current influenza vaccines do.
The new mRNA vaccine targets a specific subtype of the H5N1 virus and has been found to be able to elicit a strong antibody and T-cell response in mice and ferrets.
Importantly, high levels of antibodies remained in the animals even a year after vaccination.
In people infected with H5N1, the vaccine helped clear the virus more quickly and show fewer symptoms than unvaccinated people.
Compared to vaccinated animals, almost all of the unvaccinated animals died after H5N1 infection, the researchers said.
