What to Know About mRNA After RFK Jr. Cancels Vaccine Contracts

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in his department’s latest move against messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology, has canceled contracts for vaccines and therapeutics that utilize the mRNA platform.

Here’s what to know about the technology.

How Does It Work?

The mRNA, through an injection, typically in the upper arm, is delivered into the body, where it teaches cells to produce proteins.

With most mRNA vaccines, the modified mRNA is delivered with lipid nanoparticles. In the COVID-19 vaccines, mRNA instructs cells to make the same spike protein found in COVID-19.