Health

Police raid Guinea-Bissau offices of vaccine researchers praised by RFK Jr.

Officials say the search did not point to vaccine quality or safety problems, while the health minister disputes trial plans.

Updated Oct 21, 2026 · 18:16 UTC3 reports

The short version

Judicial police in Guinea-Bissau raided vaccine researchers' offices and seized hepatitis B vaccine doses on Monday.[Ars Technica · The Guardian]
Officials said the search concerned a vaccine batch and did not point to quality, safety, or effectiveness irregularities.[The Guardian]
Guinea-Bissau's health minister disputed reports the newborn trial would proceed, while a WHO spokesperson called denying the vaccine unethical.[The Guardian]

Judicial police in Guinea-Bissau raided the offices of vaccine researchers and seized hepatitis B vaccine doses on Monday.[Ars Technica · The Guardian]
Officials said the search involved investigative procedures on a vaccine batch and did not point to irregularities in quality, safety, or effectiveness.[The Guardian]
The research has been supported by $1.6m from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, matched for a total of $3.2m by two foundations.[The Guardian]
Guinea-Bissau's health minister disputed reports that the trial would move forward.[The Guardian]
A spokesperson for the World Health Organization said any study denying the hepatitis B vaccine to trial participants would be unethical.[The Guardian]
Robert F Kennedy Jr has repeatedly praised the researchers at a recent anti-vaccine conference.[The Guardian]

The purpose of the search beyond the batch review, its outcome, and whether any charges were filed have not been reported.[Ars Technica]
Whether the trial will proceed is disputed, as the health minister's denial conflicts with earlier reports.[The Guardian]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.