“You need a platform that is fast and potent, flexible and scalable,” Balachandran said. “There are other ways to generate immune responses, but the RNA platform at the moment seems to be superior.”
Although none of the cancer vaccine platforms has inspired major safety concerns, Jaffee notes that thanks to the Covid experience, mRNA vaccines have a particularly extensive record. “We’ve seen two-billion-plus injections, and there’s no data to show that mRNA vaccines cause any serious problems,” she said.
Vita Sara Blechner is no longer waiting for the other shoe to drop. “I guess once I hit my fifth year [cancer-free], it really sank in that I’m doing well. I said, ‘I beat the odds.’ Now I’m grateful every day,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to my sons getting married. I’m looking forward to the holidays, since I have the strength to do the work and have everyone over. We just had a family event a week ago, and we danced and ate and had a great time. Every day is wonderful.”
