The messenger RNA (mRNA) platform emerged at the forefront of vaccine development during the COVID-19 pandemic, with two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines being among the first authorized globally. These vaccines were developed rapidly. Informed by decades of laboratory research, and proved to be safe and efficacious tools for mitigating the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mRNA platform holds promise for a broader medical application beyond COVID-19. Herein, we provide an overview of this platform and describe lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to help formulate strategies toward enhancing uptake of future mRNA-based interventions. We identify several strategies as vital for acceptance of an expanding array of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics, including education, accurate and transparent information sharing, targeted engagement campaigns, continued investment in vaccine safety surveillance, inclusion of diverse participant pools in clinical trials, and addressing deep-rooted inequalities in access to healthcare. We present findings from the Global Listening Project (GLP) initiative, which draws on quantitative and qualitative approaches to capture perceptions and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic to help design concrete action plans for improving societal preparedness for future emergencies. The GLP survey (>70,000 respondents in 70 countries) revealed tremendous disparities across countries and sociodemographic groups regarding willingness to accept novel mRNA vaccines and medicines. The comfort in innovations in mRNA medicines was generally low (35%) and was marginally lower among women (33%). The GLP survey and lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic provide actionable insights into designing effective strategies to enhance uptake of future mRNA-based medicines.

Noroviruses pose a major public health challenge in structurally closed or semi-closed settings where person-to-person contact, shared environment, and high-risk populations facilitate rapid transmission. This narrative review synthesizes epidemiological evidence on the burden of norovirus infection in closed and semi-closed settings, such as long-term care facilities (LTCFs), healthcare facilities, schools, childcare centers, and cruise ships, where norovirus transmission risk is elevated. Priority populations frequently experiencing high attack rates and patterns of key factors related to norovirus transmission are summarized for each context. Reported attack rates varied substantially both within and across settings, with elevated attack rates reported in LTCFs, healthcare facilities, childcare settings, and several other closed or semi-closed settings. Norovirus outbreaks are frequent and severe in closed and semi-closed settings, highlighting the need for targeted prevention and control measures in these contexts.