The BRC has developed a RNA toolkit to support health-care practitioners and public health professionals in discussing and answering questions about RNA-based medical technologies, including mRNA vaccines. This toolkit aims to build their confidence in discussing concerns patients and the public have regarding RNA-based medical technologies.  

This toolkit emerged as a response from practitioners who attended a screening and panel event, RNA and Health-care Futures, and provides resources for stand-alone screenings and local discussions.

About the event

Health-care practitioners and the broader public health community were invited to the Canadian premiere of The Messenger, a documentary tracing the origin story of mRNA technology, a 30-year journey from discovery to a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The screening was followed by a panel featuring mRNA pioneers and leading experts in public health, medical anthropology, clinical practice, and regulatory affairs. Panelists demystified recent advances in mRNA science and engaged the audience in dialogue about how mRNA vaccines and therapeutics are poised to transform disease prevention and treatment, as well as the profound impact that mRNA technology will have on the future of health care in Canada.  

• Moderator: Adriana Barton
• Panelists: Dr. Pieter Cullis, Dr. Ève Dubé, Heather Deehan, Dr. Jia Hu, Dr. Steve Pascolo

Why?

Findings from the BRC’s Vaccine, Behaviours, Attitudes, and Perceptions survey, led by Scientific Co-Director Dr. Ève Dubé, show that people in Canada have limited understanding of how vaccines are developed, tested, authorized and monitored (the therapeutic pipeline). During the COVID-19 pandemic, health-care providers, including pharmacists, doctors, and nurses, expressed a lack of access to reliable information on RNA technologies and the therapeutic pipeline and the need to engage with their patients to support vaccine confidence and uptake.

Response

"Innovation", "collaboration", "improved understanding", "educational", "potential", and "perseverance" were the most popular thoughts and key takeaways shared by the audience after watching the documentary.

Attendees wanted the following supports and resources:  

• Information tailored for vaccine skeptics
• A guide to safety and risk assessments
• Patient education resources on mRNA  
• Funding to support science communication and relevant roles
• Comic book/storybook explaining mRNA technology
• More public outreach and pre-bunking to help people better understand their immune system

RNA Toolkit

• RNA Unwrapped: one-pager explaining how RNA functions in the body and therapeutically
• Summary of questions and answers from the panel discussion
• A recording and transcript of the panel discussion
• A timeline of key milestones in RNA-based medical innovation with a Canadian focus
• Login information to access "The Messenger" documentary and host an independent screening and panel event