Abstract

mRNA vaccine technology has emerged as a revolutionary platform for preventing infectious diseases, with its most notable success being the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Unlike traditional vaccines, mRNA vaccines use messenger RNA to instruct cells to produce antigenic proteins, stimulating an immune response without the need for the pathogen itself. Recent advances in mRNA vaccine development have improved their stability, efficacy, and speed of production, making them a promising tool for a wide range of diseases. However, challenges remain, such as the need for cold-chain storage, manufacturing scalability, and the potential for immune system side effects. This review explores the mechanisms underlying mRNA vaccine technology, recent progress in its development, the hurdles that need to be overcome, and the potential applications for emerging diseases. By highlighting both the strengths and limitations of mRNA vaccines, this paper offers insight into their future directions and their potential to reshape vaccine development globally.