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US-backed vaccine trial on babies canceled after international outcry

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 22/10/2026, 17:28:24 UTC.

Briefings

A US-funded clinical trial for the hepatitis B vaccine in Guinea-Bissau was formally rejected by local officials after international outcry, following a police raid on the trial's lead researcher's office. The trial aimed to investigate alleged nonspecific harms from the newborn dose, which is globally recommended and deemed safe and effective. Key facts include the rejection date of October 16, the involvement of Danish researchers, and the seizure of vaccines by judicial police. The evidence indicates the trial was canceled after the rejection, but the specific reasons for the rejection beyond the formal statement remain unclear.

Key points

• Guinea-Bissau's Council of Ministers formally rejected a US-backed clinical trial for the hepatitis B vaccine on October 16, 2026, following international outcry.
• The trial was led by Christine Stabell Benn of Bandim Health Project and the University of Southern Denmark, who stated the rejection came after a police raid on their office.

Context

The hepatitis B vaccine is globally recommended for all newborns and has been used safely and effectively for decades. The trial was part of a broader effort to investigate alleged nonspecific harms, but the evidence suggests the trial was canceled after the rejection, with no additional background on the specific reasons for the rejection beyond the formal statement.

Limitations

The evidence indicates the trial was formally rejected on October 16, 2026, but the specific reasons for the rejection beyond the formal statement remain unclear. The evidence also notes a police raid on the trial's lead researcher's office, but does not detail the specific circumstances of the raid or the immediate aftermath.

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