In a paper published in Science China Life Sciences, a group of scientists presented their study to develop multi-valent mRNA vaccines against monkeypox enveloped viron (EV) or mature viron (MV) surface antigens, and examine their efficacy and mechanism of action. A dynamic immune response was observed with a robust IgG response and correlating neutralizing activity against vaccinia virus (VACV), in association with the multi-valency vaccines. The vaccines protected a mouse model from a lethal dose VACV challenge with the EV and MV antigens-combined vaccine offering the strongest protection. These findings provide insight into the protective mechanism of multi-valent mRNA vaccines, and support the development of effective and safe mRNA vaccines for enhanced protection against monkeypox virus outbreak.