How do mRNA vaccines protect against diseases like COVID-19?

An mRNA vaccine helps your body learn how to fight a disease by giving it instructions that are like a map to build special fighters.

Imagine you're playing a game where you have to catch invisible robbers who steal your toys. You don’t know what they look like, so you need a clue. That's like an mRNA vaccine, it gives your body a clue about the robbers, which are like the virus that causes diseases like COVID-19.

Your body has tiny helpers called cells that read clues and make fighters. The clue from the mRNA vaccine is like a message that says, “Here’s what the robbers look like!” These fighters then go on patrol to stop the real robbers when they come.

Once your body reads the clue, it starts making copies of the fighters. These fighters are special because they know how to recognize and stop the virus. They're like trained guards who have seen the robbers before, they can catch them quickly and keep you from getting sick.

Every time you get vaccinated, your body practices fighting these invisible robbers so it's ready when the real ones show up!