Next-Generation mRNA Vaccines: Applications Beyond COVID-19

Year : 2026 | Volume : 03 | Issue : 02 | Page : 15 26
    By

    Rohit Saroha,

  • Gauri Mudgal,

  • Muneeb Kosvi,

  • Prabha Kumari,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Venkateshwara Institute of Medical Sciences, Gajraula, Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, India
  2. PhD Scholar and Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Divya Jyoti College of Dental Sciences and Research, Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Teerthanker, Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
  4. PhD scholar and Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, ITS Dental College, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technology has become a paradigm shift in contemporary medicine and, with remarkable success in the COVID-19 pandemic, has opened the door to a new wave of vaccines development. In contrast to the traditional vaccine methods, mRNA vaccines are based on the synthetic genetic code that allows host cells to express target antigens, thus eliciting strong humoral and cellular immunity. The speed of development, efficacy, scalability of manufacture, and flexibility of mRNA vaccines have led to increased interest in their uses outside of prevention of infectious diseases. This review gives an in-depth insight into next-generation mRNA vaccine platforms such as self-amplifying RNA (saRNA), circular RNA (circRNA), personalized mRNA vaccines, and improved lipid nanoparticle delivery systems. Recent developments in vaccine engineering have enhanced stability, immunogenicity and delivery efficiency and overcome some of the shortcomings of first-generation mRNA vaccines. Moreover, the growing use of mRNA in cancer immunotherapy, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, human immunodeficiency virus, antimicrobial resistance, autoimmune diseases, and genetic diseases indicates that the technology is flexible to use as a preventive and therapeutic platform. It also addresses the current clinical trials, new regulatory approvals, and new technologies in vaccine delivery, which are catalyzing the next wave of mRNA vaccine development. Even with tremendous improvements, issues of storage needs, production expenses, quality control, legal routes and accessibility around the world are critical issues. The future outlooks of artificial intelligence-aided vaccine design, the creation of universal vaccines, responding to pandemics, and precision vaccinology would further increase the effect of mRNA-based therapeutics. Altogether, next-generation mRNA vaccines are a promising and fast-developing solution that has the potential to transform healthcare in the world as it will provide the opportunity to prevent and treat diseases much faster, safer, and more personally

Keywords: mRNA vaccines, self-amplifying RNA, personalized vaccines, vaccine delivery systems, precision vaccinology

[This article belongs to International Journal of Vaccines ]

How to cite this article:
Rohit Saroha, Gauri Mudgal, Muneeb Kosvi, Prabha Kumari. Next-Generation mRNA Vaccines: Applications Beyond COVID-19. International Journal of Vaccines. 2026; 03(02):15-26.
How to cite this URL:
Rohit Saroha, Gauri Mudgal, Muneeb Kosvi, Prabha Kumari. Next-Generation mRNA Vaccines: Applications Beyond COVID-19. International Journal of Vaccines. 2026; 03(02):15-26. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijv/article=2026/view=247553


References

  1. Li J, Liu Y, Dai J, Yang L, Xiong F, Xia J, et al. mRNA vaccines: Current applications and future directions. MedComm. 2025;6(11):e70434.
  2. Oloruntimehin S, Akinyi F, Paul M, Ariyo O. mRNA vaccine technology beyond COVID-19. Vaccines. 2025;13(6):601.
  3. Moschioni M, Siraji RA, Dissard R, Segafredo G, Mutungi H, Jain A, et al. mRNA vaccines and therapeutics beyond COVID-19: A review of the global clinical development landscape, low- and middle-income countries involvement and relevance to their contexts. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2026;22(1):2628424.
  4. Fatima M, Park PG, Hong KJ. Clinical advancements in mRNA vaccines against viral infections. Clin Immunol. 2025;271:110424.
  5. Leong KY, Tham SK, Poh CL. Correction: Revolutionizing immunization: A comprehensive review of mRNA vaccine technology and applications. Virol J. 2025;22(1):272.
  6. Paczkowska A, Hoffmann K, Andrzejczak A, Pucek WF, Kopciuch D, Bryl W, et al. The application of mRNA technology for vaccine production—Current state of knowledge. Vaccines. 2025;13(4):389.
  7. Liu S, Zhou T, Wang M, Xiang W, Wu J. Global landscape of mRNA vaccine clinical trials: A systematic analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov data. Front Public Health. 2026;14:1738942.
  8. Zhong L, Tao L, Zhai Z, Liao L, Shi C, Yao S, et al. The stability landscape of mRNA vaccines: Challenges and mitigation strategies. Vaccine. 2026;79:128515.
  9. Niazi SK. mRNA therapeutics beyond vaccines: Dosing precision challenges and clinical translation framework. RSC Pharm. 2026;3(1):10–21.
  10. Cajigal S. The lowdown on vaccines: As the vaccination program for COVID-19 rolls out, people have questions and concerns. We have some answers. Brain Life. 2021;17(2):20–4.
  11. Kumar A, Blum J, Le TT, Havelange N, Magini D, Yoon IK. The mRNA vaccine development landscape for infectious diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2022;21(5):333–4.
  12. Oloruntimehin S, Akinyi F, Paul M, Ariyo O. mRNA vaccine technology beyond COVID-19. Vaccines. 2025;13(6):601.
  13. Li J, Liu Y, Dai J, Yang L, Xiong F, Xia J, et al. mRNA vaccines: Current applications and future directions. MedComm. 2025;6(11):e70434.
  14. AL-Mansouri NA, Yahya Z, Al-Mansury S, Al-Jobouri W, Al-Saidi S, Hamzeh MH, et al. Recent innovations in lipid nanoparticle formulations for mRNA vaccine delivery against emerging infectious diseases. Trends Pharm Biotechnol. 2025;3(2):13–27.
  15. Genovese G, Rizzo CE, Genovese C. Health technology assessment of mRNA vaccines: Clinical, economic, and public health implications. Vaccines. 2025;13(10):1045.
  16. Cunningham HC, Dunn J, Durr D. An examination of Moderna. J Appl Bus Econ. 2024;26(5).
  17. Moschioni M, Siraji RA, Dissard R, Segafredo G, Mutungi H, Jain A, et al. mRNA vaccines and therapeutics beyond COVID-19: A review of the global clinical development landscape, low- and middle-income countries involvement and relevance to their contexts. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2026;22(1):2628424.
  18. August A, Brito L, Paris R, Zaks T. Clinical development of mRNA vaccines: Challenges and opportunities. In: mRNA Vaccines. 2022. p. 167–86.
  19. Paczkowska A, Hoffmann K, Andrzejczak A, Pucek WF, Kopciuch D, Bryl W, et al. The application of mRNA technology for vaccine production—Current state of knowledge. Vaccines. 2025;13(4):389.
  20. Leroux-Roels I, Huang G, Ferguson M, Kohli A, Clark R, Bickel M, et al. Efficacy and safety of an mRNA seasonal influenza vaccine in adults. N Engl J Med. 2026;394(18):1803–13.
  21. Carvalho T. Personalized anti-cancer vaccine combining mRNA and immunotherapy tested in melanoma trial. Nat Med. 2023;29(10):2379–80.
  22. Xu W, Katte RH, Lu M. RSV vaccine development: Advances and fusion protein-focused strategies. Front Immunol. 2026;17:1710895.
  23. Muhammed Y, Nadabo AY, Pius M, Sani B, Usman J, Garba NA, et al. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and RNA dependent RNA polymerase as targets for drug and vaccine development: A review. Biosaf Health. 2021;3(5):249–63.
  24. Kim JH, Ndembi N. Global vaccine development. Nat Med. 2026;32(5):1610–22.
  25. Leong KY, Tham SK, Poh CL. Revolutionizing immunization: A comprehensive review of mRNA vaccine technology and applications. Virol J. 2025;22(1):71.
  26. Li J, Liu Y, Dai J, Yang L, Xiong F, Xia J, et al. mRNA vaccines: Current applications and future directions. MedComm. 2025;6(11):e70434.
  27. Khawaja S, Ali RH, Ahmed I, Umair M. Gene therapy in rare genetic disorders: Current progress and future perspectives. Curr Genomics. 2025;26(4):278–89.
  28. Żak MM, Zangi L. Clinical development of therapeutic mRNA applications. Mol Ther. 2025;33(6):2583–609.
  29. Singh D. mRNA-encoded antibodies as a next-generation therapeutic paradigm: A rapid and adaptive platform for the prevention and treatment of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases—A critical review. Immunol Res. 2026;74(1):7.
  30. Finco O, Rappuoli R. Designing vaccines for the twenty-first century society. Front Immunol. 2014;5:12.
Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 03
Issue 02
Received 04/06/2026
Accepted 08/06/2026
Published 25/06/2026
Publication Time 21 Days
53

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics