The significance here is that a paper with data has been published regarding the phase 1 trial[1]. Previously, Moderna had only reported some of the study resul

The significance here is that a paper with data has been published regarding the phase 1 trial[1]. Previously, Moderna had only reported some of the study results, and no study data. A later study had been delayed, raising questions about what might have happened in the unreported cases during Phase 1. It should be pointed out that the significance of the Moderna approach extends beyond COVID-19. If approved, it would mark the first time for an mRNA vaccine. Such vaccines don't need to gain entry into the nucleus, just the cell membrane. They don't modify the genome, just cause ribosomes to start making viral protein. Given that many diseases are caused by lack of functional protein, this could have implications for medicine beyond vaccines. [1] https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2022483 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2022483