Nobel Laureate Drew Weissman Directly Counters concerns Raised About mRNA Vaccine Safety
WASHINGTON D.C. – Dr. Drew Weissman, co-recipient of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his groundbreaking work on mRNA technology, has directly addressed and refuted several safety concerns regarding COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, notably those voiced by Dr. Retsef Levi, chair of the working group for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). In a recent interview, Weissman systematically dismantled claims about mRNA persistence, unintended protein production, and DNA contamination, while also expressing concern over recent ACIP votes perhaps impacting broader vaccine access.
Weissman, whose research laid the foundation for the rapid development of the highly effective COVID-19 vaccines, addressed the assertion that mRNA degrades too quickly too have lasting effects. “It is absolutely unfeasible. mRNA is degraded incredibly rapidly. When you modify it, it’s a little slower. It’ll last 24 hours. It never, ever lasts six months. That’s just impossible,” he stated. He further suggested that concerns regarding “wide biodistribution and prolonged persistence of spike, mRNA and nano-lipid particles,” raised by Dr. Levi, were based on findings primarily observed in immunized mice, and that adverse reactions in vaccinated individuals were “incredibly rare.”
Addressing a claim that the vaccine could cause a “frame shift leading to production of unintended proteins and related immune response,” Weissman pointed to a single paper suggesting a uridine-induced frameshift mutation, noting it “was never seen in thousands and thousands of other studies.”
Concerns about DNA contamination within the vaccines were also addressed. Weissman explained that DNA contamination is common in all vaccines derived from biological sources – including those grown in eggs or living cells – and that “we’ve never seen an adverse event.” He emphasized the minute quantities involved, stating the DNA strands are “a couple of nucleotides long” and have not been shown to integrate into chromosomes or cause cancer. He further noted that milligram doses of DNA plasmid are currently being tested in clinical trials without observed adverse effects.
Beyond directly refuting the specific claims, Weissman expressed broader concerns about the direction of recent ACIP meetings. He highlighted votes against combined childhood vaccines, limiting COVID-19 vaccine availability, and a likely vote against continuing hepatitis B vaccinations for infants.
Weissman underscored the past impact of vaccines, stating that vaccination has been responsible for a dramatic decrease in childhood mortality, from 40% two centuries ago to just 4% today. He emphatically defended the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines, stating, “No vaccine was tested more extensively than the RNA vaccines, and no vaccine was given to more peopel than the mRNA vaccines, and they were found to be incredibly safe, safer than any other vaccine platform and effective. They saved 20 million lives, and they stopped a pandemic that was shutting down the world.”
This interview provides critical context as public discourse around vaccine safety continues, particularly considering ongoing misinformation. Weissman’s expertise and direct response offer a scientifically grounded viewpoint on the concerns raised by some regarding the mRNA vaccine platform.
