Until now, the process from development to supply of vaccines —— our trump card in the fight against infectious disease —— has been said to take at least 15 years. However, vaccines against the novel coronavirus COVID-19 have been commercialized in just one year. Some are a completely new type of vaccine based on mRNA drugs. The realm of therapeutics based on mRNA drugs is diverse, encompassing not only the treatment of infectious diseases, but also cancer vaccines and antibody drugs. The emergence of mRNA vaccines is set to speed up research and development of mRNA drugs.

New types of vaccines are currently emerging, and vaccinations are being administered at a hitherto-unprecedented speed. However, greater readiness will be essential, given the risk of new pandemics and bioterrorism. It is said that using nucleic acid platforms to create mock-up vaccines in advance would enable the optimal vaccine to be produced swiftly by introducing into them a modularized antigen tailored to the pathogen concerned.

A weapon created to enable humanity to conquer infectious disease, vaccines have saved us from such terrible, life-threatening diseases as smallpox and polio. It would be fair to say that they are one of the most powerful tools of medical care, creating robust immunity throughout society. In fact, vaccines offer possibilities beyond the realm of infectious diseases. Scientists are already engaged in development research focused on vaccines to eliminate cancer cells and vaccines to tackle lifestyle-related diseases such as metabolic syndrome.