mRNA

Anyone with COVID-19 during the summer has some, but not full, protection against germs spreading in fall and winter. Infectious disease experts recommend what shots to get now.

There's a new bulletin from Florida's surgeon general. Vaccine experts and historians interviewed for this article can’t remember another state health leader urging residents to avoid an FDA-approved vaccine.

A memo notes the new mRNA shot doesn't target the current dominant variant. A USF epidemiologist says it will still be effective but suggests first deciding whether you need the booster.

The board opted not to endorse Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo's assertions and voted on a different motion that reaffirms a commitment "not to invade" patients' relationships with their doctors.

Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has expressed concerns about the mRNA vaccine. Two Florida experts are confused by his questions, saying they don't make much sense.

Experts said that small DNA fragments found in the vaccines are not cause for concern. Cells are needed to make vaccines, and those cells contain DNA.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo again raised concerns about the delivery of "nucleic acid contaminants" in the vaccines and the "risk of DNA integration" into cells. And again, the FDA stood behind the science.

Tuberculosis kills 1.6 million a year — the second deadliest infectious disease after COVID-19. Using immune cells and mRNA technology, scientists in South Africa are working on a new vaccine.