What do the approved mRNA vaccines contain?
The mRNA vaccines made by Moderna (Spikevax®) and Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty®) have both been approved for use in Switzerland. The exact compositions of the vaccines are publicly available. Both contain modified and laboratory-produced mRNAs. Various lipids are used to encapsulate the mRNA. And several mineral salts and sugars are used to stabilize the vaccine solution. In contrast to most conventional vaccines, they contain no enhancing agents such as adjuvants.
The exact compositions of the vaccines can be accessed at https://swissmedicinfo.ch/ by entering the search term “Spikevax” for the Moderna vaccine and “Comirnaty” for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
- What is an mRNA and what is its function?
- How do mRNA vaccines work?
- Which mRNA vaccines are approved or under development in Switzerland?
- Does the mRNA vaccine affect our genetic material?
- What do the approved mRNA vaccines contain?
- What side effects are known and expected for the approved mRNA vaccines?
- How effective are the approved mRNA vaccines?
- How and why are mRNAs modified for the vaccines?
- Is the technology behind the mRNA vaccines new?
- Why were mRNA vaccines earlier available than conventional vaccines?