TED-Ed: How the COVID-19 vaccines were created so quickly | Kaitlyn Sadtler and Elizabeth Wayne

The video explains the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines using mRNA technology, which leverages the body's cellular machinery to produce viral proteins and trigger an immune response. Unlike traditional vaccines, mRNA vaccines do not contain live viruses and can be quickly adapted to new diseases. The video details the mechanism of mRNA vaccines, their safety, and their advantages, including the potential for rapid development of new vaccines.

What is the primary reason COVID-19 vaccines were developed faster than traditional vaccines?

• They were developed by more scientists.

• They utilized mRNA technology.

• They used a new type of virus.

• They skipped some testing phases.

How do mRNA vaccines introduce the body to a virus?

• By injecting live virus particles.

• By encoding mRNA with instructions for a viral protein.

• By using a weakened form of the virus.

• By altering the body's DNA.

What role do nanoparticles play in mRNA vaccines?

• They are responsible for triggering the immune response.

• They protect and deliver mRNA into cells.

• They alter the DNA of the cells.

• They act as the main ingredient of the vaccine.

Why is it impossible for mRNA vaccines to alter our DNA?

• mRNA is designed to replace DNA.

• mRNA directly changes the DNA sequence.

• mRNA requires additional enzymes and signals to access DNA, which are not present.

• mRNA is a stable molecule that integrates into DNA.

What is a significant advantage of mRNA vaccines over traditional vaccines?

• They contain live virus particles.

• They require more time to develop.

• They can be adapted to new diseases by changing the mRNA component.

• They are less effective against new strains.