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Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman (nobelprize.org)

590 points by OskarS · 1057 days ago · 351 comments on HN

Article summary

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2023 has been awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. Their research, which began in the 1990s, focused on how different RNA types interact with the immune system and led to a breakthrough in understanding how cells recognize and respond to mRNA. This understanding was crucial for the development of mRNA vaccines, which have saved millions of lives and prevented severe disease in many more. The award recognizes the significance of their work in addressing one of the biggest health crises of our time.

Main themes

  • mRNA vaccine development
  • COVID-19 pandemic response
  • lockdowns and non-pharmaceutical interventions
  • pharmaceutical company role
  • vaccine safety and efficacy
  • public health policy

What commenters say

  • The development of mRNA vaccines is a significant advancement in vaccine technology, with the potential to save millions of lives.
  • The speed and flexibility of mRNA vaccine development are major benefits, allowing for rapid response to emerging diseases.
  • Some argue that lockdowns and other non-pharmaceutical interventions were not effective in reducing COVID-19 mortality, citing examples of countries and states that did not implement such measures.
  • Others disagree, pointing to data from countries that implemented strict lockdowns and mask mandates, which they argue helped to slow the spread of the virus.
  • There is debate about the role of pharmaceutical companies in vaccine development, with some arguing that they prioritize profits over public health, while others see them as crucial partners in the development of life-saving vaccines.
  • The effectiveness of lockdowns and other non-pharmaceutical interventions in reducing COVID-19 mortality is a topic of ongoing debate, with some arguing that they were necessary to slow the spread of the virus, while others argue that they were not effective.
  • The development of mRNA vaccines has raised concerns about the potential for long-term side effects, and some argue that more research is needed to fully understand their safety profile.