Title: Study Reveals Unintended Immune Responses in mRNA COVID Vaccines
Summary: A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Medical Research Council (MRC) Toxicology Unit found that over 25-30% of individuals receiving mRNA COVID vaccines experienced unintended immune responses due to a glitch in the vaccine’s code. The mRNA vaccines, including those from Moderna and Pfizer, instruct the body to produce a specific protein mimicking the virus to trigger an immune response. The study identified a frameshifting issue in the vaccine’s code, causing the production of nonsensical and harmless proteins that led to an immune system flare-up.
The Nobel Prize-winning breakthrough in 2023 involved swapping a synthetic alternative for uridine, a base in RNA attacked by the body. While the minor tweak to uridine was thought to have no impact, the Cambridge study revealed that the synthetic uridine analogues caused a momentary pause during protein synthesis, leading to skipped letters in the code and frameshifting.
Despite the frameshifting issue, the COVID vaccines remained effective against the virus, with the resulting proteins being harmless. However, the study highlights a potential risk for future mRNA vaccines designed for other diseases, as the frameshifting issue could lead to the creation of viable and active proteins in the body.
Researchers suggest an easy solution to mitigate frameshifting events by minimizing the use of problematic pseudo-uridine in the mRNA code. The study’s findings, shared with the medicines regulator MHRA a year ago, are already influencing the development of updated vaccines, particularly for cancer jabs and other therapeutics, using an improved form of mRNA that enhances safety without compromising efficacy.
Professor Anne Willis, co-senior study author, emphasizes the revolutionary potential of mRNA technology but highlights the significance of addressing decoding issues to ensure safety. The study provides an exciting prospect for a safer and more effective mRNA platform in the future