How mRNA Vaccines Help Build Immunity to Covid-19 Virus: Understanding the Science Behind Spike Proteins and Antibodies

This image depicts the process by which mRNA vaccines help build immunity to the Covid-19 virus. The mRNA is delivered into the muscle cells of the patient’s upper arm, where it instructs the cells to produce a harmless protein found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus called a spike protein. The immune system recognizes the spike proteins as foreign and mounts a response to them, including the production of antibodies and memory cells. This response helps the body to build immunity to the virus, so that if a person is exposed to the virus in the future, their immune system is better prepared to fight it off. The effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine varies depending on the specific vaccine being used and the individual being vaccinated, but most vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness and death from Covid-19.