Talk:RNA vaccine/Archive 2

Semi-protected edit request on 2 March 2021
History

In 1987, while a graduate student at UC San Diego and the Salk Institute, Robert W Malone discovered that mRNA could transfect mRNA into a variety of eukaryotic cells and embryos	, , , ). Robert W Malone developed mRNA delivery, in collaboration with Philip Felgner at Syntex, who had pioneered the use of artificially-created cationic lipids (positively-charged lipids) to bind lipids to nucleic acids in order to transfect the latter into cells in the mid 1980s. Phil Felgner was then recruited to help launch a new biotech startup in San Diego called Vical.[15]. While at the Salk Institute, Robert W Malone developed the theory of DNA and RNA vaccination and described a variety of potential applications for use of synthetic RNA as a drug. This work was reduced to practice, patent disclosures and an application filed in March 1989 through the Salk Institute . These studies were the first evidence that in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA could deliver genetic information to produce proteins within living cell tissue.

Robert Malone shortly thereafter went to work for Vical, bringing his discoveries and reagents with him. He established the molecular biology laboratory at Vical, designed the original DNA and RNA delivery studies at Vical (with and without cationic lipids) and also synthesized the DNA and RNA that was shipped to the University of Wisconsin where the in-vivo work was performed, as Vical did not have animal facilities at the time. These experiments had positive results where "naked" (or unprotected) mRNA was injected into the muscle of mice and is the first demonstration of this delivery strategy. The patent disclosures for this initial discovery included detailed discussions of mRNA and DNA vaccine applications and

In vitro mRNA vaccination in animals was first published in a peer reviewed journal in 1990 by the Merck team, which had bought the Vical intellectual property rights. In 1993, Martinon demonstrated that liposome-encapsulated RNA could stimulate T-cells in vivo, and in 1994, Zhou & Berglund published the first evidence that RNA could be used as a vaccine to elicit both humoral and cellular immune response against a pathogen.[3][22][23]

In 1996, RNA vaccination into mammals was further developed when Jill and Robert W Malone demonstrated that production of a mucosal immune response in a host by administration of an antigen-encoding polynucleotide preparation, comprising DNA or RNA encoding an antigenic epitope to a mucosal inductor site in the mucosal tissue of the host could be elicited (reference #6 and 7). ,

Hungarian biochemist Katalin Kariko attempted to solve some of the main technical barriers to introducing mRNA into cells in the 1990s. Kariko partnered with American immunologist Drew Weissman, and by 2005 they published a joint paper that solved one of the key technical barriers by using modified nucleosides to get mRNA inside cells without setting off the body's defense system.[3][24] Harvard stem cell biologist Derrick Rossi (then at Stanford) read Kariko and Weissman's paper and recognized that their work was "groundbreaking",[24] and in 2010 founded the mRNA-focused biotech Moderna along with Robert Langer, who also saw its potential in vaccine development.[24][3] Like Moderna, BioNTech also licensed Kariko and Weissman's work.[24]

In 2000, German biologist Ingmar Hoerr published an article on the efficiency of RNA‐based vaccines, which he studied as part of his doctoral degree.[25][26] After completing his PhD, he founded CureVac together with his PhD supervisor Günther Jung, Steve Pascolo, Florian von der Muelbe, and Hans-Georg Rammensee. Up until 2020, these mRNA biotech companies had poor results testing mRNA drugs for cardiovascular, metabolic and renal diseases; selected targets for cancer; and rare diseases like Crigler–Najjar syndrome, with most finding that the side-effects of mRNA insertion were too serious.[27][28] mRNA vaccines for human use have been developed and tested for the diseases rabies, Zika, cytomegalovirus, and influenza, although these mRNA vaccines have not been licensed.[29] Many large pharmaceutical companies abandoned the technology,[27] while some biotechs re-focused on the less profitable area of vaccines, where the doses would be at lower levels and side-effects reduced.[27][30] Glasspool1 (talk) 17:32, 2 March 2021 (UTC)


 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done for now: This seems largely based on primary sources (patents, WP:PRIMARY studies as explained at MEDRS) - and additionally, it is mostly the work by one researcher (RW Malone) who doesn't even have a page here. This level of detail about that might be WP:UNDUE. RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 15:39, 5 March 2021 (UTC)

An edit very similar to this edit seems to have been approved now (on 6/9/21 and maintained as of 6/12/21), but I am not sure why. I am not an RNA vaccine expert so I cannot comment on the validity of the edit directly, but I am a scientist and noticed the inconsistent and nonstandard citation styles (an unusual two author followed by et. al citation, "Jon A. Wolff, Robert W Malone, et. al.", and then an unusual five author citation, "P. Felgner, J. Wolff, G. Rhodes, R.W. Malone and D. Carson. P."). These strange choices seem to be cherry-picked to ensure maximum instances of the name Robert Malone, who has a history of unilateral self-promotion online. I'm not familiar with wikipedia standards, but is there a way to recommend review to ensure these edits are accurate and unbiased? Essennar (talk) 17:30, 12 June 2021 (UTC)


 * Is it not correct that Robert W. Malone was one of the original inventors of mRNA vaccination? If correct, why isn't his name mentioned at least a single time in the current version of this article? 173.88.246.138 (talk) 04:10, 21 June 2021 (UTC)
 * It is correct, that he is the original inventor of the lipid transfection technique which is now widely used. He worked with two other researchers but was the key figure in it's discovery. Well before all this controversy he wrote about how the spotlight was stolen from him which I linked above. Now we can see these corrupt editors are removing him, ignoring the patent which is the highest form of proof of any invention and basically displaying they are not objective editors. Asailum (talk) 19:09, 8 July 2021 (UTC)
 * , Yes, he indeed came up with this technique. However, he did not invent mRNA vaccines. Period. Much like Alexander Fleming is not the inventor of norfloxacin or nearly all other antimicrobials, even though Fleming was the first one to describe the mechanism and therapeutic properties of an antibiotic. — kashmīrī  TALK  19:42, 8 July 2021 (UTC)
 * He did though his work and patents that were licensed out is well documented:

A novel approach to study packaging of retroviral RNA by RNA transfection (Abstract). RW Malone, P. Felgner, I. Verma. RNA Tumor Viruses, May 17-18, 1988. Cold Spring Harbor mRNA Transfection of cultured eukaryotic cells and embryos using cationic liposomes. Malone RW. Focus. 1989; 11:61-8 DNA and RNA Transfection and Vaccination (Abstract). First Place, Northwestern AOA Research Symposium Competition for Medical Students: 1989. Cationic liposome-mediated RNA transfection. Malone RW, Felgner PL, Verma IM. Proc Natl Acad Sci (PNAS) U S A. 1989;86(16):6077-81. Cited in 749 articles. Direct gene transfer into mouse muscle in vivo. Wolff JA, Malone RW, et al. Science. 1990;247(4949 Pt 1):1465-8. Cited in 4,750 articles. High levels of messenger RNA expression following cationic liposome mediated transfection tissue culture cells. Malone R, Kumar R, Felgner P. NIH Conference: “Self-Cleaving RNA as an Anti-HIV Agent (abstract). Washington, DC June 1989. Cationic liposome-mediated RNA transfection. Dwarki VJ, Malone RW, Verma IM. Methods Enzymol. 1993;217:644-54. Cited in: 102 articles. Delivery of exogenous DNA (includes mRNA) sequences in a mammal P Felgner, JA Wolff, GH Rhodes, R Malone, D Carson. Biotechnology Advances 1993: 15 (3-4), 763-763 Lipid-mediated polynucleotide administration to deliver a biologically active peptide and to induce a cellular immune response (includes mRNA). Assigned to Vical, Inc and licensed to Merck. No. 7,250,404, date of issue: 7/31/07 Cited in 105 articles. Priority Date: 3/21/1989. Lipid-mediated polynucleotide administration to reduce likelihood of subject’s becoming infected (includes mRNA). Assigned to Vical, Inc and licensed to Merck. US Pat. Ser. No. 6,867,195 B1. Date of issue: 3/15/05. Priority Date: 3/21/1989. Generation of an immune response to a pathogen (includes mRNA). Assigned to Vical, Inc and licensed to Merck. US Pat. Ser. No. 6,710,035. Date of issue: 3/23/04. Citations: 39 articles. Priority Date: 3/21/1989. DNA (and mRNA) vaccines for eliciting a mucosal immune response. US Pat. Ser. No. 6,110,898, date of issue: 8/29/00. Cited in 40 articles. Expression of exogenous polynucleotide sequences in a vertebrate, mammal, fish, bird or human (includes mRNA). Assigned to Vical, Inc, licensed to Merck. US Pat. Ser. No. 6,673,776. Date of issue: 1/6/04. Priority Date: 3/21/1989. Methods of delivering a physiologically active polypeptide to a mammal (includes mRNA). Assigned to Vical, Inc, licensed to Merck. US Pat. Ser. No. 6.413.942. Date of issue: 7/2/02. (cited in 150 articles). Priority Date: 3/21/1989. Induction of a protective immune response in a mammal by injecting a DNA sequence (includes mRNA). Assigned to Vical, licensed to Merck. US Pat. Ser. No. 6,214,804, date of issue: 4/10/01. Cited in 360 articles. Priority Date: 3/21/1989. DNA vaccines for eliciting a mucosal immune response (includes mRNA). US Pat. Ser. No. 6,110,898. Inventors: RW Malone and Jill Glasspool Malone. Date of issue: 8/29/00. Cited in 40 articles. Priority Date: 1997. Induction of a protective immune response in a mammal by injecting a DNA sequence (includes mRNA). Assigned to Vical, Inc, licensed to Merck. US Pat. Ser. No. 5,589,466. Date of issue: 12/31/96. Cited in 899 articles. Priority Date: 3/21/1989. Delivery of exogenous DNA sequences in a mammal (includes mRNA). Assigned to Vical, Inc, licensed to Merck. US Pat. Ser. No. 5,580,859. Date of issue: 12/3/96. Cited in 1244 articles. Priority Date: 3/21/1989. Generation of antibodies through lipid mediated DNA delivery (includes mRNA). Assigned to Vical, Inc, licensed to Merck. US Pat. Ser. No. 5,703,055. Date of issue: 12/30/97. Cited in 419 articles. Priority Date: 3/21/1989. Cationic liposome-mediated RNA transfection. Dwarki VJ, Malone RW, Verma IM. Methods Enzymol. 1993;217:644-54. Cited in: 88 articles. Robert Malone’s patents issued cationic lipid formations for use in mRNA vaccinations Formulations and methods for generating active cytofectin: polynucleotide transfection complexes. US Pat. Ser. No. 5,925,623 7/20/99. Cationic Transport Reagents. US Pat. Ser. No. 5,892,071 issued 4/06/99. Polyfunctional cationic cytofectins, formulations and methods for generating active cytofectin: polynucleotide transfection complexes. US Pat. Ser. No. 5,824,812 issued 10/20/98. Cationic Transport Reagents. US Pat. Ser. No. 5,744,625 issued 4/28/98. Cationic Transport Reagents. US Pat. Ser. No. 5,527,928, date of issue: 6/18/96. Papers related to cationic lipid polynucleotide transfection and vaccination (including mRNA) Electroporation enhances transfection efficiency in murine cutaneous wounds. Byrnes CK, Malone RW, et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2004;12(4):397-403. Marked enhancement of macaque respiratory tissue transfection by aurintricarboxylic acid. Glasspool-Malone J, …, Malone RW. Gene Med. 2002;4(3):323-2. Enhancing direct in vivo transfection with nuclease inhibitors and pulsed electrical fields. Glasspool-Malone J, Malone RW. In Gene Therapy Methods: Methods Enzymol. 2002;346:72-91 Cutaneous transfection and immune responses to intradermal nucleic acid vaccination are significantly enhanced by in vivo electropermeabilization. Drabick JJ, Glasspool-Malone J, …, Malone RW. Mol Ther. 2001;3(2):249-55. Cited in 192 articles. Theory and in vivo application of electroporative gene delivery. Somiari S, Glasspool-Malone J, … Malone RW. Mol Ther. 2000;2(3):178-87. Cited in 345 articles. Efficient nonviral cutaneous transfection. Glasspool-Malone J, …, Malone RW. Mol Ther. 2000;2(2):140-6. Cited in 138 articles. Developing dendritic cell polynucleotide vaccination for prostate cancer immunotherapy. Berlyn KA, …, Malone RW J Biotechnol. 1999;73(2-3):155-79 Models of Cationic Liposome Mediated Transfection. Gene Therapy and Molecular Biology. Ahearn A, Malone RW. Vol 4. Gene Therapy and Molecular Biology 1999;4 Cationic lipid-mediated gene delivery to murine lung: correlation of lipid hydration with in vivo transfection activity. Bennett MJ, …, Malone RW, Nantz MH. J Med Chem. 1997;40(25):4069-78 Toxicity of cationic lipid-ribozyme complexes in human prostate tumor cells can mimic ribozyme activity. Freedland SJ, Malone RW, et al. Biochem Mol Med. 1996;59(2):144-53 Considerations for the design of improved cationic amphiphile-based transfection reagents. Bennett MJ, …, Malone RW. Journal of Liposome Research 1996;6(3):545-65 Structural and functional analysis of cationic transfection lipids: the hydrophobic domain. Balasubramaniam RP, …, Malone RW. Gene Ther. 1996;3(2):163-72. cited in 172 articles. Direct gene tranfer into mouse muscle in vivo. N Shafee, …, RW Malone, et al. International Journal of Virology 2 (1), 33-38 A flexible approach to synthetic lipid ammonium salts for polynucleotide transfection. MJ Bennett, RW Malone, MH Nantz. Tetrahedron letters 36 (13), 2207-2210 Tfx-50 Reagent, a new transfection reagent for eukaryotic cells. Schenborn E, …, Malone RW, et al. 1995 Asailum (talk) 21:08, 8 July 2021 (UTC)


 * TLDR. This WP:WALLOFTEXT is of little help as we must use WP:SECONDARY sources. Yes, I am in the process of reading https://patents.google.com/patent/US6110898A/, it's an interesting read and seems to partly support some of the claims, but will wait with any significant edits until I find and read better secondary sources. — kashmīrī  TALK  21:35, 8 July 2021 (UTC)
 * A peer reviewed journal that publishes a study is a secondary source no? Most of these are peer reviewed publications for example the first: "A novel approach to study packaging of retroviral RNA by RNA transfection (Abstract). RW Malone, P. Felgner, I. Verma. RNA Tumor Viruses, May 17-18, 1988. Cold Spring Harbor", published after peer review in Cold Spring Harbor May 1988. A primary source would be his own pre-prints, website or self documentation from what I understand. This published paper gives an overview of developments from different parties . Quoting: "Nucleic acid-based treatments have developed as promising substitutes for traditional vaccine approaches. In animals, the first data of the use of successful in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA was reported in 1990, while reporter mRNAs were administered into in vivo mice model, and subsequently, protein expression was identified [5]" where 5 is "5. Wolff J.A., Malone R.W., Williams P., Chong W., Acsadi G., Jani A., Agnes F., Philip L. Direct gene transfer into mouse muscle in vivo. Science (80-) 1990;247:1465–1468. doi: 10.1126/science.1690918." Asailum (talk) 07:38, 9 July 2021 (UTC)
 * A peer reviewed journal that publishes a study is a secondary source no? &larr; No. Please read WP:MEDRS and maybe WP:WHYMEDRS and WP:MEDFAQ if you're still unclear. Alexbrn (talk) 07:52, 9 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Well the last source I mentioned falls under this ″A secondary source summarizes one or more primary or secondary sources to provide an overview of current understanding of the topic, to make recommendations, or to combine results of several studies. Examples include literature reviews or systematic reviews found in medical journals, specialist academic or professional books, and medical guidelines or position statements published by major health organizations.″
 * Thank you, yes. However it is a journal published by MDPI, a borderline predatory publisher, and that particular journal is notorious. We need to use better quality sources, and many are available. Alexbrn (talk) 09:16, 9 July 2021 (UTC)
 * One controversial study, which that link says has now been retracted and the journal posted a statement about it is not a valid criticism to discount MDPI which has published many studies for 25 years. There's nothing to suggest the mRNA overview paper is invalid/flawed, and it would require expertise in understanding all the medical jargon to really say much. If you check the right hand side, there are many previous overview papers that this one was building on for instance "The concept of nucleic acid-encoded drugs was conceived over two decades ago when Wolff et al.1 demonstrated that direct injection of in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA or plasmid DNA (pDNA) into the skeletal muscle of mice led to the expression of the encoded protein in the injected muscle" which is citing -> . There are many other overview studies that reference this same Robert Malone study. Asailum (talk) 19:46, 9 July 2021 (UTC)
 * , You might find these two review papers useful, both state 1990 was the first date mRNA was injected into a mouse to successfully demonstrate transfection, and both link to the Wolf/Malone paper.

Respectful Insolence about this Talk page
David Gorski writes about the Malone hullabaloo on his not-so-secret blog: --Hob Gadling (talk) 10:56, 14 July 2021 (UTC)

Extended-confirmed-protected edit request on 20 July 2021
source (reference)14 is not(or, no longer) suitable as support information for the sentence to which it is attached. information found in source 14 does not confirm what is written in in main article, suggest using publication from the Dr mentioned within the source. 147.161.167.22 (talk) 12:51, 20 July 2021 (UTC)

Not done as the request makes no suggestion in the form replace text "A" with text "B" -Roxy the grumpy dog . wooF 13:33, 20 July 2021 (UTC)

Deleting facts is erasing history
Why do some editors here want to delete the discoverers of this groundbreaking vaccine? Where in the history of inventors and discoverers is their name deleted? Why would people want to come to Wikipedia with these facts missing? I could give you countless discoveries and inventions where the name is included. What is the problem?Red Rose 13 (talk) 23:58, 8 July 2021 (UTC)

@Kasmiri you stated that you don't want to see Malone in every other sentence. Please show me where that was occurring? I saw Malone, Felgner,Verma, Williams, Chong, Acsadi, Jani, Felgner mentioned in the first paragraph, then Martinon, Zhou, Berglund, then Karikó, Weissman, Rossi, Langer in the following paragraphs. Red Rose 13 (talk) 00:28, 9 July 2021 (UTC)
 * We're not a CV website, and encyclopedic writing should favour a summary of the situation instead of listing every darn detail. Unlike with, say, general relativity (Einstein) or penicillin (Alexander Fleming), this doesn't appear to have one single (group of) discoverer/inventor. Therefore, we shouldn't be bringing undue attention on "who did it" but rather "what did they do" (which is the real interesting matter) - if readers are really interested in the names of the scientists, they can just check out the cited papers, which include their author list, duh! RandomCanadian (talk / contribs)  04:28, 9 July 2021 (UTC)


 * Thank you, your comment was helpful except the Duh comment.Red Rose 13 (talk) 04:40, 9 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Also, most readers are never going to look at the sources or papers that relate. We would as editors, but I believe, not the general reader.Red Rose 13 (talk) 15:02, 10 July 2021 (UTC)


 * Duh! -Roxy the grumpy dog . wooF 09:21, 9 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Crediting the researchers of discoveries is not making wiki a "CV website", what a crazy angle to argue. The edit Red Rose put in seemed completely appropriate and accurate, showing which people discovered different parts of the vaccine. It should be put in unless anyone can disprove any specific part of it. Theres been more than substantial amounts of proof provided for Malone which is the only scientist anyone has an issue about. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Asailum (talk • contribs)
 * Given the number of claimants, and the existence of exaggerated claims, it is more appropriate to not provide a laundry list of names, many of which are not notable. In any case, the bulk of the actual work was as always done by people whose names are not at the top of the papers.&#32;- NiD.29 (talk) 21:16, 13 July 2021 (UTC)

In particular, the deletion of the name of a researcher who expressed a different opinion and the protection of the article after that has cast doubt on the impartiality of the encyclopedia. Release the article so that we who think differently about it can make our positive contributions. -- KediÇobanı  🐈   08:17, 30 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Wikipedia isn't about allowing those who "think differently" (i.e. minority or fringe opinions) to hijack it for their own purposes. We're supposed to be a thoroughly mainstream work, and that includes not unduly promoting views or statements coming from dubious origins (an author who persistently refers to himself as the inventor of something which he is not independently recognised as being the inventor of). RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 12:27, 30 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Is it an extreme or minority view on a subject to include the name of the scientist who discovered it? He also has his own patent. The only reason for this exclusion is his views on the vaccine. -- KediÇobanı   🐈   06:19, 31 July 2021 (UTC)
 * If reliable sources say nothing about him discovering it, then, yes, it is. --Hob Gadling (talk) 06:36, 31 July 2021 (UTC)

Sourcing for a clause
The sourcing for the clause that is highlighted has been questioned (Special:Diff/1036701131):


 * These studies were the first evidence that in vitro transcribed mRNA could deliver the genetic information to produce proteins within living cell tissue, and led to the concept proposal of mRNA vaccines.

The sourcing per WP:Scholarship is solid. There is a review article and a primary source that back up the statement. --Guest2625 (talk) 08:15, 2 August 2021 (UTC)


 * An MDPI journal is borderline predatory, so your assertion that it is "solid" is false, and your edit-warring to include it problematic. A patent is obviously not usable without risking WP:OR. Alexbrn (talk) 13:01, 2 August 2021 (UTC)
 * The International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an indexed, first quartile journal. No evidence has been presented that it is "predatory". No evidence has been presented it's a "junk journal" as per Alexbrn's edit summary. In the absence of some reasonable demonstration beyond thunderous declarations, I agree with User:Guest2625. Chetsford (talk) 19:17, 2 August 2021 (UTC)
 * "Borderline predatory", to quote accurately. Perhaps check WP:CITEWATCH, or if still in doubt ask at WT:MED. Bold claims require strong sources. Alexbrn (talk) 19:22, 2 August 2021 (UTC)
 * That's good advice, Alexbrn. Per CITEWATCH: "The updated list says "Some of their journals have a very poor peer-review; some are fine." ... Evaluate on a case by case basis." Looking at this on a specific case, instead of publishing house, basis, International Journal of Molecular Sciences is a first quartile journal indexed by Scopus. I haven't personally encountered many predatory journals with high impact factors. Perhaps you have specific information you can share about why you think this is a "junk journal" beyond personal declaration? Chetsford (talk) 19:32, 2 August 2021 (UTC)
 * This is one of the better MDPI journals (so yes, "junk" is overstating), but nevertheless the MDPI imprimatur calls into question a source's reputation for fact-checking and accuracy. If the claim is truly accepted knowledge, it should be easy to find less problematic source. I am particularly concerned about the claim that Malone's work was vaccine-oriented ("led to the concept proposal of messenger RNA vaccines") - which didn't even appear to be WP:VERIFIED anyway? Alexbrn (talk) 19:53, 2 August 2021 (UTC)
 * "so yes, "junk" is overstating" Indeed. "it should be easy to find less problematic source" Again, you have presented no demonstration this is a problematic source, merely declaration. This is a first quartile journal indexed by Scopus. In any case, it seems like we'll be going around in circles on this one trying to obtain evidence the first quartile, Scopus-indexed International Journal of Molecular Sciences is "problematic". Referencing one of the same studies, Nature called this "the first step toward making a vaccine from mRNA" which should, hopefully, put this exercise to rest unless you're planning to also hold out for a less problematic journal than Nature ... Chetsford (talk) 20:11, 2 August 2021 (UTC)
 * I would never use an MDPI journal for something exceptional/surprising because the publisher is known to be disreputable. The Nature Medicine source is better first because it isn't MDPI, and second because it actually verifies the content, except it mentions Jon Wolff (the lead author), not Malone, in relation to this "first step". Alexbrn (talk) 05:14, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * I appreciate your personal discomfort, however, your inability to describe any objective reason or present any type of evidence as to why the International Journal of Molecular Sciences is not RS — despite being asked numerous times to do so — while continually reverting edits by others is disruptive and seems to indicate you're WP:NOTHERE. The patent, as I read it, is being used as a limited primary source to corroborate the date as described in the essay WP:PATENTS; the content doesn't depend on the source, though, so its omission or inclusion is probably irrelevant. Chetsford (talk) 12:36, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * I agree with Chetsford that the clause is properly sourced and that the three sources are solid. I disagree with Alex's change Special:Diff/1036867473 where he removes two sources and states in the edit summary "trim spurious sourcing". I would like to hear other opinions should all three sources be included. --Guest2625 (talk) 08:41, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * If something's properly sourced to Nature Medicine, how would it improve the encyclopedia to introduce a lesser source and (good grief) a patent? Even if they were good sources that would be WP:OVERCITEd. Alexbrn (talk) 09:15, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * Even if we accepted (we don't) the non-mainstream position that a Scopus-indexed, first quartile journal is a vanity source, Lu Zhang is an SME and his authorship would qualify its use under WP:USESPS. OVERCITE is an essay, not a policy or guideline, and isn't usually applied to object to two, versus one, sources appearing at the end of a paragraph. Because the two sources offer a panoply of beneficial information, a correct application of OVERCITE would be WP:CITEMERGE. An incorrect application would be attempting to edit war out one of the two sources. Chetsford (talk) 13:02, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * Even if you like the source and the patent, there is no policy to "offer a panoply of beneficial information", especially when doing so creates a WP:V failure. Alexbrn (talk) 14:08, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * Have you read V? The source is being used to verify the claim in the article. I think you need to better familiarize yourself with our policies and guidelines. Simply shotgunning links is not some kind of ace of spades. As for offering a variety of beneficial information, you're right, it's not policy - it's from the OVERCITE essay you cited. Again, with all due respect, I think you'd be well served to familiarize yourself with the links you're posting before posting them. Thanks. Chetsford (talk) 14:42, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * Better to WP:FOC rather than divert into odd personal comments. Where in the MDPI source is the text which will (yes) WP:VERIFY the claim that "These studies ... led to the concept proposal of messenger RNA vaccines"? Alexbrn (talk) 14:56, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * No one here has made any personal comments about you, Alex. Chetsford (talk) 15:05, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * seems like it's a personally-directed comment. And asking "Have you read V?" looks suspicious like trolling. But: to the point. Where in the MDPI source is the text which will (yes) WP:VERIFY the claim that "These studies ... led to the concept proposal of messenger RNA vaccines"? Alexbrn (talk) 15:22, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * Understood. I'm sorry you feel that way. "Where in the MDPI source is the text which will (yes) WP:VERIFY the claim" On page 1: "In 1990, in vitro-transcribed mRNA was sufficiently expressed in mouse skeletal muscle cells through direct injection, which became the first successful attempt on mRNA in vivo expression and thus proved the feasibility of mRNA vaccine development" (referencing the Jon A. Wolff study). The text "These studies ... led to the concept proposal of messenger RNA vaccines" accurately summarizes that. Chetsford (talk) 15:35, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * I don't "feel" anything but do think we should stay focused. While that text is in the ball park, it's kind of off for supporting a claim of leading to a "concept proposal" (distinctive, odd, phrase). This seems to have got introduced by with a quote parameter of "Concept proposal of messanger [sic] RNA vaccines (1990)". But this text does not seem to appear in the source. So what's happened? Alexbrn (talk) 16:01, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * Dunno, you'll have to ask Guest. Seems to me like the quote parameter should be modified to be true to source or removed from the citation. I don't find anything innately odd about the phrase "concept proposal" / "proof of concept proposal", but maybe that's just me. A POC demonstrates viability of an idea which is consistent with saying something "proved the feasibility" of an idea. Chetsford (talk) 16:14, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * "Proof of concept" would be better. Alexbrn (talk) 16:22, 3 August 2021 (UTC)
 * Hi Alex. Sorry for not getting back sooner, I was out chatting with a friend. Thanks for catching the error on the quote. It should actually read "Concept proposal of mRNA vaccines". However, a ctrl+f search still won't find it. I always tell my friends to really focus on the images in science articles. That is where all the good stuff gets packed away. For the quote, see the figure 1. timeline at 1990. --Guest2625 (talk) 14:02, 4 August 2021 (UTC)

Ultracold storage
The introduction states the following: RNA vaccines, such as the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, have the disadvantage of requiring ultracold storage before distribution;[1] other mRNA vaccines, such as the Moderna, CureVac, and Walvax COVID-19 vaccines, do not require such ultracold storage temperatures.[7] Please be aware that this is misleading. In May 2021, the European Medicines Agency updated the shelf life information for unopened vials (frozen: 6 months at -90 °C to -60 °C; thawed: 1 month at 2 °C to 8 °C; ). Therefore, the sentence above can be changes this way: Many RNA vaccines, such as the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, require ultracold storage before distribution, but can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.[1][7] Please be aware that I have a COI here, so independent community feedback is highly appreciated. Thanks, J at BioNTech (talk) 15:11, 16 August 2021 (UTC)
 * This is a primary source which lacks context. Is this what the manufacturer specifies? Is this being done worldwide (I'm thinking of developing countries) or is this just an extra layer of safety for the EU? -- Beland (talk) 17:19, 18 August 2021 (UTC)
 * (See WP:PRIMARY for policy details. -- Beland (talk) 17:20, 18 August 2021 (UTC))

Summarized data

Hi J at BioNTech and other editors looking at this sentence. Here is the relevant data summarized in a table for the sentence. The sourcing quality varies:

Also the following source states:


 * "For long-term storage and transportation, the current mRNA vaccines from BioTech/Pfizer and Moderna in Phase III trials require -80°C and -20°C, respectively, and this cold-chain requirement greatly limits their distribution and increases the cost."

Like J above has stated the sentence of concern states:


 * "RNA vaccines, such as the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, have the disadvantage of requiring ultracold storage before distribution; other mRNA vaccines, such as the Moderna, CureVac, and Walvax COVID-19 vaccines, do not require such ultracold storage temperatures."

J from BioNTech would like the following sentence:
 * "Many RNA vaccines, such as the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, require ultracold storage before distribution, but can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days."

J's statement according to the sourcing does not appear to be correct. Moderna requires -20°C which is not ultracold storage. According to Whirlpool, the factory setting for their home freezers is -18°C. It is true that Moderna does need a home freezer, so we could just indicate the two extreme examples and drop Moderna. The following sentence format is also possible:


 * "RNA vaccines, such as the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, have the disadvantage of requiring ultracold storage before distribution; other mRNA vaccines, such as Walvax COVID-19 vaccines, do not require such ultracold storage temperatures."

Other ways of stating the information in the sources is possible, and other editors can make changes accordingly. --Guest2625 (talk) 10:06, 20 August 2021 (UTC)


 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: Lack of context and not enough sources. Quetstar (talk) 01:51, 24 August 2021 (UTC)

Sourcing for a clause
The sourcing for the clause that is highlighted is inadequate (Special:Diff/1036536537):


 * The use of RNA in vaccines has occasioned substantial misinformation in social media, wrongly claiming that the introduction of RNA alters a person's DNA.

The sourcing per WP:Scholarship is not solid. Scientific claims in science articles require scientific sources. The clause should be removed or replaced with the clause properly sourced. --Guest2625 (talk) 08:15, 2 August 2021 (UTC)


 * WP:PARITY applies. We can use pretty much any source do debunk obvious WP:FRINGE bollocks. Alexbrn (talk) 12:59, 2 August 2021 (UTC)
 * I tend to agree the sourcing is adequate, per Alexbrn, above. Chetsford (talk) 19:40, 2 August 2021 (UTC)
 * Obvious facts of biology (that RNA can't alter the DNA in human cells) used to refute bollocks and misinformation don't need more than a reputable mainstream RS, such as the BBC (or likely, any biology textbook, if you insist). Taken to its conclusion, the OP's argument would be illogical, since we'd be fine with sourcing claimed misinformation (including obvious batshit crazy lunacies) to newspapers describing it, but we wouldn't be able to refute them without finding a scholarly article talking about it. Given how rarely scholarly articles talk about that kind of stuff (since scholars have more useful stuff to do than dealing with Randy in Boise), that would not help in preventing the spread of misinformation, and we would have failed in our purpose as an online encyclopedia read by millions across the world. RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 22:57, 9 August 2021 (UTC)
 * The issue of sourcing for the sentence has been resolved. A scientific source was added,(Special:Diff/1038072161) which verifies the scientific claim in the sentence. There still remains the issue of due weight of having this stand-alone sentence, which reads like a medical misinformation advisory, pasted in the lead. However, that issue can be addressed in another section on the talk page if someone is interested. In regards to the highlighted part of the comment directly above:
 * Given how rarely scholarly articles talk about that kind of stuff (since scholars have more useful stuff to do than dealing with Randy in Boise), that would not help in preventing the spread of misinformation, and we would have failed in our purpose as an online encyclopedia read by millions across the world.
 * The purpose of Wikipedia is not to stomp out misinformation. Wikipedia's purpose as Jimmy Wales has said is:
 * "to create and distribute a free encyclopedia of the highest possible quality to every single person on the planet in their own language"
 * And, that is its only purpose. The above quote does not come from a policy or guideline; however, I'm in agreement with Wikipedia's founder and Dennis Diderot's vision. --Guest2625 (talk) 11:38, 13 August 2021 (UTC)
 * "Highest possible quality" implies the avoidance of misinformation. --Hob Gadling (talk) 13:19, 29 August 2021 (UTC)

Side Effects: Myocarditis and Pericarditis Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination
"Since April 2021, there have been more than a thousand reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) of cases of inflammation of the heart—called myocarditis and pericarditis—happening after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (i.e., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna) in the United States."


 * Myocarditis and blood clots are typical side effects of vaccines in general and not specific risks unique to RNA vaccines. The fact that these are the most reported side effects of any seriousness is just indication that they are largely functioning similar to any other vaccine. These are largely results of an immune response, which vaccines are of course designed to produce. Sometimes immune response can cause serious symptoms. Of course, infection itself can produce similar side effects, COVID 19 is known to cause Myocarditis itself, because it itself produces an immune response. The mRNA vaccines actually have reduced chances of blood clots compared to the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which is a traditional vaccine. And the side effects of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine are themselves not so serious that they would warrant going without vaccination were it the only option.2601:140:8900:61D0:2134:A70C:463F:9009 (talk) 00:12, 8 September 2021 (UTC)

History Section - Photo of only one scientist
(1) This photo of Katalin Karikó, supposedly a scientist behind a key discovery in the development of mRNA vaccines is peacocking one scientist. This should be removed immediately. [] (2) The History section either includes all scientist names or none - just using the name of the organization. This section is out of balance by promoting or deleting key scientists according to an editors preferences rather than neutral scientific information. (3) The imbalance needs to corrected. Red Rose 13 (talk) 14:28, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * , Thanks. I accept the argument and am removing the photo. Re. names, I don't think it's not possible to list all scientists who have contributed to the development of RNA vaccines – there will certainly be hundreds of them. Also, as we can see, there are many competing claims and different sources focus on different individuals. I will leave the part as is. Of course, other editors may make other editing decisions. — kashmīrī  TALK  14:41, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * The solution is to add more photos (if any exist), not to remove the woman credited in sources as the key figure behind RNA vaccines, especially if it's because some bloke is making unsubstantiated claims. Alexbrn (talk) 15:14, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * , A photo of Senior Vice President of BioNTech here is borderline promo, especially when it's the only photograph in the article. This is an encyclopaedia, not a promotional piece for a pharma business. — kashmīrī  TALK  17:28, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Good articles have lots of pictures. I don't see how a photo of someone, acknowledged in multiple good RS as a key player in the history of RNA vaccines, is anything other than completely appropriate in a section precisely about that history. And bringing some side concern about "Pharma" into it smacks of tinfoilery. Alexbrn (talk) 17:32, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * A good article on Wikipedia is balanced and editors don't use peacocking to focus on one scientist when there are many involved. When you can find a photo of each of the key players, then present it here first. There could be too many. In the meantime we cannot just have the photo of one scientist. Look at this [] I removed the photo until you can provide photos of all the scientists. Red Rose 13 (talk) 17:48, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * It's the sources that focus on her. Your demand is obviously disruptive. Alexbrn (talk) 17:53, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * The sources in this history section also mention other key scientists and some that have been deleted which is disruptive. The history is seen clearly in the table provided. So focusing just on one scientist is not a balanced article.Red Rose 13 (talk) 17:59, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * False. No scientist who is mentioned has been deleted. This is all looking like a further attempt to boost Malone. A shall raise a query at WP:FTN. Alexbrn (talk) 18:05, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Mistaken you are. I see an imbalanced section and did read through many edits and looked at sources. From what I can see you are boosting one scientist. I would be happy to help you bring this section to balance. Red Rose 13 (talk) 18:18, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * All you've done so far is to edit war away one woman's photo who you referred to as "supposedly" a scientist behind a key discovery. That's not helpful. I see we also have Drew Weissman's photo. Those two would be fine eh? Alexbrn (talk) 18:44, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * , Enjoy! if that's your favourite noticeboard and if anyone using the word "pharma" is a conspiracy theorist. (You must be hating such websites). Nobody mentions Malone here, and I myself have been fighting unsubstantiated claims related to that guy. I only strive to retain balance and not to give prominence to one party of a patent dispute – but hey, maybe I shouldn't expect from you to have read much about the case. So, a quote for you:
 * So now, Wikipedia is giving floor only to the claims by the BioNTech VP, thanks to editors like you, and prominently features only one side of the IP dispute. You still call it a neutral point of view? — kashmīrī  TALK  18:57, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * We're not citing "BioNTech" or a VP, but independent reputable sources (NYT for example), about events that happened 30+ years ago. Citing reliable sources is the basis of NPOV. The photograph has been so hurriedly ripped out it's left a nasty syntax error in the page. This is not what I call "helpful". It looks to me like bias. Alexbrn (talk) 19:04, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * , Oh, so you reverted my edit because it left a small syntax error? Very helpful indeed. The image was placed in the middle of a paragraph, against MOS:IMAGELOCATION, and this perhaps made it more error-prone on edit.
 * While we select sources, we must strive to offer a WP:BALANCED coverage. Nothing against having Karikó mentioned explicitly, and as you can see I pretty much support the current wording about her work. But having a photo here, given her CoI and the ongoing patent war, is too much for me.
 * If either of two happens: we add photos of more scientists, or Karikó indeed receives a Nobel Prize for her work on mRNA vaccines as speculated – then I will certainly not object. — kashmīrī  TALK  19:18, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * I didn't revert. Your mess is still there. If you're trying to edit Wikipedia to affect the outcome of a legal dispute, that is a problem. We must disinterestedly summarize what the WP:BESTSOURCES say, duly weighted. Alexbrn (talk) 19:22, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * , You did not revert? Let's first state that me and Red Rose are removing the image that you yourself added on 23th June, and that this page is under DS. — kashmīrī  TALK  20:25, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * You said "you reverted my edit because it left a small syntax error". I didn't - I left the syntax error there and another editor fixed it. This topic is indeed under DS, so downplaying reliable sources because you apparently have some knowledge of a legal dispute, and a view on how much "platform" to give its participants, is problematic. Anyway, since you say you will be content if we add more photos, I assume a photo of Drew Weismann and of Derrick Rossi (the other scientists we have photos for) will fix things? Alexbrn (talk) 20:35, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * , Yes, they will be fine, although it would be even better to have photos of renowned scientists from teams other than BioNTech et al. Also those who worked on mRNA vaccines other than those based on lipids. The field is so wide, there has been so many discoveries recently! As you may know, the pioneering attempt at developing a liposome-enclosed RNA-based vaccine has been the work of French scientists in 1993 . Another breakthrough came with the work of the team of German scientists in 2012 who reported in-vivo success of another type of mRNA vaccine . These are all people who made lasting contributions to the scientific field of mRNA vaccines. It would be unfair to focus, in an encyclopaedia, only on the team that made the commercial product. — kashmīrī  TALK  20:55, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * I don't really know anything about the topic, or who's involved with what company. My main thought was, while there's been much disruption trying to push for inclusion of people who it seems didn't have a major role in the invention of RNA vaccine (which you have been helpfully pushing back on elsewhere I note), it was just a damn shame that we weren't giving some love to the amazing people who really were involved, when we have photos of them. Alexbrn (talk) 21:02, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * I removed the photo correctly this time. It is important to keep wikipedia accurate until this all can be settled. With her photo in this section... the only one, the reader will assume she did it all herself. It is out of proportion and not necessary.Red Rose 13 (talk) 21:08, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * " inclusion of people who it seems didn't have a major role in the invention of RNA ", this has been proven false over and over, why are you still saying it? Malone, Wolf et al demonstrated the first successful injection of mRNA into a mouse, and Malone was the key researcher in discovering that work. Suggesting he "didnt have a major role" is a flat out lie.Asailum (talk) 10:42, 11 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Malones work was not specific to the application of the process to vaccination, it was general demonstration of a certain technique for preserving mRNA in the system such that it could transfect cells. Such knowledge was of course necessary for RNA vaccination to be possible, but a researcher could plausibly develop such methods with absolutely no real knowledge or expertise specific to vaccination at all. As well, be honest with me - did you come here after watching the Tucker Carlson report? All the other people who bombarded this page in the last few days did as well. They are solely interested in highlighting him because he's turned to crankery and grifting the right wing vaccination denial movement. There are plenty of people who made plenty of significant developments in the process of producing the rna vaccine who are not specifically mentioned by name in the text of the article itself, Malone is not somehow alone here. The hordes of people who finished watching his interview on Tucker in July and subsequently jumped online to edit the article, are similarly only specifically interested in him for to his vaccine crankery, not any genuine and specific concern for the degree with which the academic accomplishments of some random researcher they have no interest otherwise in was being overlooked. These people do not wish merely to praise a researcher for his important work, they want to use him as a springboard from which to start inserting vaccine denial in the article. It should be obvious to anyone with a degree of common sense, who participated in such a mob in response to a specific accusation by a specific demagogic figure in the media with a large platform, why they would be given the cold shoulder, and why their claims of just having a random, innocent, sudden interest in a certain researcher being accredited is being met largely with sighs and immediate reversion. 2601:140:8900:61D0:2134:A70C:463F:9009 (talk) 00:39, 8 September 2021 (UTC)
 * I removed the photo correctly this time. It is important to keep wikipedia accurate until this all can be settled. With her photo in this section... the only one, the reader will assume she did it all herself. It is out of proportion and not necessary.Red Rose 13 (talk) 21:08, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * " inclusion of people who it seems didn't have a major role in the invention of RNA ", this has been proven false over and over, why are you still saying it? Malone, Wolf et al demonstrated the first successful injection of mRNA into a mouse, and Malone was the key researcher in discovering that work. Suggesting he "didnt have a major role" is a flat out lie.Asailum (talk) 10:42, 11 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Malones work was not specific to the application of the process to vaccination, it was general demonstration of a certain technique for preserving mRNA in the system such that it could transfect cells. Such knowledge was of course necessary for RNA vaccination to be possible, but a researcher could plausibly develop such methods with absolutely no real knowledge or expertise specific to vaccination at all. As well, be honest with me - did you come here after watching the Tucker Carlson report? All the other people who bombarded this page in the last few days did as well. They are solely interested in highlighting him because he's turned to crankery and grifting the right wing vaccination denial movement. There are plenty of people who made plenty of significant developments in the process of producing the rna vaccine who are not specifically mentioned by name in the text of the article itself, Malone is not somehow alone here. The hordes of people who finished watching his interview on Tucker in July and subsequently jumped online to edit the article, are similarly only specifically interested in him for to his vaccine crankery, not any genuine and specific concern for the degree with which the academic accomplishments of some random researcher they have no interest otherwise in was being overlooked. These people do not wish merely to praise a researcher for his important work, they want to use him as a springboard from which to start inserting vaccine denial in the article. It should be obvious to anyone with a degree of common sense, who participated in such a mob in response to a specific accusation by a specific demagogic figure in the media with a large platform, why they would be given the cold shoulder, and why their claims of just having a random, innocent, sudden interest in a certain researcher being accredited is being met largely with sighs and immediate reversion. 2601:140:8900:61D0:2134:A70C:463F:9009 (talk) 00:39, 8 September 2021 (UTC)
 * Malones work was not specific to the application of the process to vaccination, it was general demonstration of a certain technique for preserving mRNA in the system such that it could transfect cells. Such knowledge was of course necessary for RNA vaccination to be possible, but a researcher could plausibly develop such methods with absolutely no real knowledge or expertise specific to vaccination at all. As well, be honest with me - did you come here after watching the Tucker Carlson report? All the other people who bombarded this page in the last few days did as well. They are solely interested in highlighting him because he's turned to crankery and grifting the right wing vaccination denial movement. There are plenty of people who made plenty of significant developments in the process of producing the rna vaccine who are not specifically mentioned by name in the text of the article itself, Malone is not somehow alone here. The hordes of people who finished watching his interview on Tucker in July and subsequently jumped online to edit the article, are similarly only specifically interested in him for to his vaccine crankery, not any genuine and specific concern for the degree with which the academic accomplishments of some random researcher they have no interest otherwise in was being overlooked. These people do not wish merely to praise a researcher for his important work, they want to use him as a springboard from which to start inserting vaccine denial in the article. It should be obvious to anyone with a degree of common sense, who participated in such a mob in response to a specific accusation by a specific demagogic figure in the media with a large platform, why they would be given the cold shoulder, and why their claims of just having a random, innocent, sudden interest in a certain researcher being accredited is being met largely with sighs and immediate reversion. 2601:140:8900:61D0:2134:A70C:463F:9009 (talk) 00:39, 8 September 2021 (UTC)

Revert removal of Robert Malone references
These edits by user Alexbrn are attempting to hide the history of mRNA's discovery by removing all references to Robert Malone. I suspect this is due to the recent controversy surrounding Robert, yet that does not make this edit appropriate. Please reverse these three abusive edits attempting to hide the history of mRNAs discovery. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=RNA_vaccine&diff=1029988072&oldid=1029743206 https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=RNA_vaccine&diff=1030322202&oldid=1030284345 https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=RNA_vaccine&diff=1030787298&oldid=1030331671
 * ans=no

Asailum (talk) 06:28, 28 June 2021 (UTC)
 * No source(s) given. Note this is being discussed at WP:FTN. Also, note WP:COI. Alexbrn (talk) 06:38, 28 June 2021 (UTC)
 * Adding a source which references the original mouse research which was removed. Even if the reference to Dr. Robert Malone is removed that is no reason to delete the history sections referring to that research. Caprilyc (talk) 17:18, 28 June 2021 (UTC)
 * The patent from 1989 along with over scientists who were involved show that lipid mRNA transfection techniques now widely used were first patented by V.J.Dwarki, Robert Malone and Inder M.Verma Asailum (talk) 07:35, 7 July 2021 (UTC)

- This is being characterised on the conspiracy-theory corners of the non-wiki web as "censorship" rather than the removal of COI - https://ussanews.com/News1/2021/07/05/mrna-vaccine-inventor-erased-from-history-books/ - Cabayi (talk) 08:45, 6 July 2021 (UTC)
 * There is nothing conspiracy theory about it, Robert Malone along with two others were the first to discover and patent lipid carrier mRNA transfection methods in 1989 which were later improved upon by others to create mRNA/DNA vaccines. There are no earlier patents of this specific technique being invented that is now in widespread use. Removing his name simply because anti vaxxers are misusing his concerns is censorship. There is a key difference in safety concerns over a rushed vaccine which bypassed years of testing and well established vaccines which all had multi year trials to prove safety. Asailum (talk) 07:29, 7 July 2021 (UTC)


 * The covid vaccine was released under emergency authorization, but if the current pandemic did not warrant the use of the emergency authorization procedure, it is difficult to imagine what would. This is the textbook case of a situation where it is necessary, the rapid release of a vaccine in response to a brand new mass pandemic. The vaccine has also subsequently been given full FDA approval anyway, there were no additional serious issues found in the additional testing. As for this testing being rapid compared to that of a total vaccine, that was largely enabled by using extremely large cohorts of tens of thousands of participants, so that effectiveness could be judged on a shorter time scale based on the few that would get sick in that time period, rather than the typical method of a using a much smaller cohort over a long period of time. This is not done generally because such trials are already expensive, and increasing the participants and expense by an order of magnitude of an already complex and expensive study usually isn't worth it to save a few years. In such instances people are mostly glad that a vaccine gets produced at all. The expense was spared here, in contrast, because this is this is the most catastrophic pandemic in a century and an almost unprecedented public health risk. To compare the situations the the peace of studies on vaccines for conditions that are a fraction of the magnitude in that, is ridiculous. It is as if you attempted to compare the level of military organization in World War II to that in, I dunno, the invasion of Haiti in the 1910s. It is not suspicious that far more men were organized far more quickly in response to world War II than were organized in preparation for the invasion of a poor island country. 2601:140:8900:61D0:2134:A70C:463F:9009 (talk) 01:02, 8 September 2021 (UTC)

Possible article title change
This article focuses too heavily on COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, the vaccines (at least the moderna vaccine) are actually classified as "gene therapy", not "vaccines", so perhaps the article title is a bit misleading. I would say maybe change it and try to move some of the content to a new page, like an updated COVID-19 treatment page or something like that while leaving this page intact or lessening some of the COVID-19 parts of it because this is really a page about the history of RNA vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2602:30a:c079:1710:102b:9e30:f74b:59ed (talk) 00:45, 30 April 2021 (UTC)
 * While the historical use was limited in that sense, vaccine is the application, and can be implemented using various methods today, including printed molecules and RNA... — Paleo  Neonate  – 08:02, 15 June 2021 (UTC)


 * RNA transfection can be used for gene therapy, however that is not the use case here, and it would be inappropriate to refer to it as such. No alteration to host genetic code is done by the RNA vaccine and neither is the intent to alter gene expression. It is basically an efficient method is delivering the mRNA of the virus to the dendites, which then train the T Cells on how to identify the virus. During an infection or after a traditional vaccine the dendites would normally obtain the same mRNA anyway from the virus itself, by first eating it and then breaking it down to its constituent proteins, one of which is its mRNA. With the vaccine, the dendites basically just eat the mRNA itself directly and skip the process of having to break down the virus to obtain it.2601:140:8900:61D0:2134:A70C:463F:9009 (talk) 01:13, 8 September 2021 (UTC)