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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.