Lancet review: mRNA vaccines safe and effective

What the report says

The Independent Uganda reported on July 18, 2026, that a comprehensive review in The Lancet concludes mRNA vaccines are a safe and effective platform for preventing infectious disease. The review drew on laboratory research, clinical trials and post-authorisation safety monitoring, including real-world experience from billions of administered doses, and assessed studies published from 2000 through the end of 2025 as well as ongoing trials.

According to the article, the authors found serious adverse events to be uncommon and said the benefits against severe disease, hospitalisation and death outweighed the risks. The review also addressed public concerns about how long vaccine mRNA remains in the body and whether it can affect human DNA, reporting that vaccine mRNA and lipid nanoparticles are temporary, mostly remain near the injection site and lymph nodes, and that mRNA does not enter the cell nucleus.

The Independent cited figures from the review showing rare myocarditis and pericarditis reports after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, with estimated rates of about 12.6 cases per million for Pfizer-BioNTech’s BNT162b2 and 35.6 per million for Moderna’s mRNA-1273. It also reported an anaphylaxis risk of 4.7 cases per million doses for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Early COVID-19 trials found efficacy above 90% after two doses, while a later synthesis of 68 studies estimated strong early protection against infection, hospitalisation and death.

The review also highlighted potential uses beyond COVID-19, including vaccines for RSV, influenza and other infections, as well as personalised cancer vaccines and RNA-based therapies. The authors cautioned that mRNA is not a cure-all and stressed continued safety surveillance, clearer public communication, lower costs and wider manufacturing access for low- and middle-income countries.