DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VACCINES AGAINST DNA VIRUSES AND RNA VIRUSES

Dr. Shankar Prasad Bhattacharya*

Vaccination remains the most effective public health intervention for preventing viral diseases. With advances in biotechnology, vaccines now use diverse platforms—ranging from traditional inactivated or live-attenuated viruses to modern nucleic acid vaccines such as DNA and mRNA. This paper highlights critical differences between vaccines developed for DNA viruses versus RNA viruses, focusing on vaccine development processes, immunogenicity, efficacy profiles, and post-vaccination surveillance, including adverse events. RNA virus vaccines, particularly mRNA-based platforms, have demonstrated unprecedented speed in development and strong immunogenic responses, as seen during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. DNA virus vaccine strategies involve distinct challenges related to delivery and nuclear entry but offer benefits of stability and storage. Post-vaccination surveillance plays a crucial role in identifying rare side effects and assessing long-term protection. Understanding these differences informs future vaccine design and public health strategies.