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This is the type of vaccine that can end the pandemic. Cheap to produce, cheap to distribute, old well-understood technology.

• ashtonkem 6y ago
  For this pandemic, sure. mRNA vaccines seem like a promising way to tackle future viral outbreaks, given how fast they can be produced. The cost should come down over time as patents expire, research costs are recouped, etc. etc. The biggest advantage that this vaccine seems to bring to the table is logistics. The mRNA vaccines produced so far require extremely cold storage temperatures which makes logistics harder and slows down actual administration as each shot has to be heated up, administered, wait for allergic reactions, and then re-frozen again.
  • jsnell 6y ago
    > each shot has to be heated up, administered, wait for allergic reactions, and then re-frozen again. The idea that they would be thawing and freezing the vaccines for every shot doesn't seem plausible. As far as I can tell, cold storage is only needed for long term storage of the mRNA vaccines. They'll both last for days at normal refridgeration temperatures, and the Moderna one is fine at room temperature for 12 hours.
    • deleted 6y ago
      [deleted]
    • ulfw 6y ago
      Obviously no one is freezing the vials after they've been opened. Not sure why OP suggested that...
      • ashtonkem 6y ago
        It's what I heard from Molly Jong-Fast's description of her participation in phase 3 trials. I guess that the re-freezing might be unique to that, and not part of the regular administration procedure.