Australian Researchers Discover that mRNA Vaccines Entering the Bloodstream May Cause Side Effects Such as Headaches and Fever.
A study led by researchers from RMIT University and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne has provided the first detailed analysis of how mRNA vaccines circulate and break down in human blood.
The research analyzed 156 blood samples from 19 individuals within 28 days after receiving the Moderna mRNA booster vaccine.
New research will help improve mRNA vaccines for safer and more effective use – (Photo: AFP)
The mRNA vaccine is designed to remain in lymph nodes to produce antibodies against infections; however, the study found that a small amount had entered the bloodstream.
“The level of vaccine that enters the blood varies among individuals, which may explain some side effects such as fever, headaches, and fatigue reported after vaccination“, Yi Ju, a co-author of the study from the School of Science at RMIT University, explained on the RMIT website.
However, Mr. Ju emphasized that the amount of vaccine that enters the bloodstream is very small, so the mRNA vaccine remains safe and effective.
“Understanding the consequential relationship between the amount of vaccine circulating in the blood and these side effects will be an important area for future research,” he stated.
“By understanding the biological distribution of these components, we can provide better information for future vaccine designs to minimize risks.
Our research offers valuable insights into improving mRNA vaccines for safer and more effective use,” Professor Stephen Kent of the Doherty Institute, co-author of the study, emphasized.
Since the first mRNA Covid-19 vaccine was announced, scientists have leveraged this technology to develop vaccines and treatment therapies for various diseases, including cancer.
Unlike traditional vaccines that use weakened viruses, this mRNA technology vaccine employs genetic instructions to prompt the body to produce a protein that triggers an immune response.
The rapid development and adaptability to new variants have made this type of vaccine popular in the fight against the global Covid-19 pandemic.
