Better Protection against Flu and RSV – mRNA Technology is a Game Changer in vaccine trials at Rochester Clinical Research

Rochester Clinical Research (RCR) is currently studying mRNA vaccine development for infectious diseases such as Influenza (Flu) and RSV. The COVID pandemic put mRNA technology on a fast track, creating significant opportunities to change how we cure and prevent disease. RSV and Flu are both highly contagious viruses that attack the respiratory system and present cold-like symptoms that range from mild to severe.  Historically rates spike in the fall and winter seasons, now is the time to act, Rochester!

These viruses are more dangerous in infants, older people, and anyone with underlying health conditions.  As the Flu virus rapidly evolves into new strains it learns to outsmart existing vaccines. For RSV, there is NO vaccine yet available on the market currently. As a result, about 235,000 cases of RSV each year lead to hospitalizations in the United States among infants and mature adults. More severe cases leading to death happen in adults over the age of 65. For the Flu in 2020, there were about 380,000 cases that led to hospitalizations and about 20,000 of those resulted in deaths.

When it came to COVID vaccines, we saw unprecedented success using mRNA technology to fight off the virus. Scientists design each mRNA to give cells directions to make a particular protein. mRNA doesn’t stay in the body very long once its job is done. Once the vaccine is delivered, the body takes over and makes the necessary protein according to the mRNA’s instructions. This solution does not cause any change to or alter DNA in any way.  mRNA helps strengthen our immune systems and shows a more robust response to preventing further sicknesses post-vaccination. mRNA technology tells our cells to make proteins in our body that will end up sending an immune response that will fight off the virus from attacking. The protection that mRNA solutions provide presents an opportunity to successfully protect against RSV, Flu, and other viruses in all forms. Manufacturing mRNA vaccines is much quicker than other vaccines. With this speed, when new strains present themselves, there is a greater chance to get a vaccine out there fast to protect against that particular variant.

If you are interested in advancing medicine and changing lives, Rochester Clinical Research has several studies you may qualify for!  Submit your interest online and we will be happy to connect with you.

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