Police in Guinea-Bissau seize vaccine supplies linked to controversial research project

Local law enforcement in Guinea-Bissau conducted a raid on the offices of the Bandim Health Project on Monday, confiscating doses of hepatitis B vaccines. The materials were intended for a neonatal trial led by Danish researchers Peter Aaby and Christine Stabell Benn that has drawn significant criticism from global health experts.

The trial, which aimed to administer the vaccine to newborns, has been stalled since January following concerns regarding its methodology. Critics argue the project design poses health risks to infants, potentially exposing them to hepatitis B complications including liver damage and cancer. Despite this, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded the project a $1.6 million grant in December, a decision that has faced renewed scrutiny following reports of continued financial support.

Researchers Aaby and Stabell Benn are currently under investigation by Danish authorities regarding allegations of scientific misconduct. The researchers have previously expressed skepticism toward established vaccine protocols, aligning with views shared by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has advocated for the project's funding. The raid marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute over the legitimacy and safety of the proposed study.