Although research investigating the therapeutic potential of RNA has been ongoing since the 1970s, its novel use as a vaccine platform to target the SARS‑CoV‑2 virus during the COVID-19 pandemic brought this technology centre-stage.

The first large-scale application of mRNA during the COVID-19 pandemic has been hailed as an unprecedented scientific achievement of our generation, yet growing public mistrust and polarization surround mRNA technology. Advancements in next-generation mRNA technologies are poised to transform health care as they can flexibly be applied and scaled to treat and prevent many different conditions (e.g., cancer, metabolic disorders, HIV, STIs, influenza, etc.)

To better understand public sentiment and, in turn, strengthen public trust and support societal adoption of immune-based innovations during health emergencies, the Bridge Research Consortium (BRC) has gathered social and behavioural insights using diverse methodologies, including social media analyses, a national survey, community dialogues, and literature reviews. This brief synthesizes key insights and offers recommendations to inform potential practices and strategies related to mRNA technology.