Guinea-Bissau police raid office of researchers tied to Kennedy over controversial vaccine trial

Seized hepatitis B vaccines intended for newborn trial condemned as unethical; researchers funded by US CDC under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Read Time1 min

Police in Guinea-Bissau on Monday raided the offices of Danish researchers Peter Aaby and Christine Stabell Benn, seizing doses of hepatitis B vaccine destined for a trial on newborns that international health experts have branded 'unethical.' The trial, which would have exposed infants to the risk of lifelong hepatitis B infection, had drawn intense scrutiny over its funding and links to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an outspoken vaccine skeptic.

The raid targeted the Bandim Health Project, run by the married couple, who are under investigation by Danish authorities for alleged scientific misconduct. The researchers have claimed that vaccines cause overlooked harms, a view repeatedly praised by Kennedy.

Plans for the trial were initially halted in January after widespread condemnation over its design. However, outrage flared again earlier this month when Rolling Stone reported that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had set aside an additional $1.6 million in late September with plans to move forward. The CDC, under Kennedy, had already awarded the researchers an unsolicited $1.6 million grant in December.

The seizure of vaccine doses follows the police operation, which removed vaccines intended for the trial. Danish authorities continue their investigation into the researchers' conduct.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The trial's design risked exposing newborns to a preventable disease that can cause lifelong health issues, raising deep ethical concerns.
The involvement of a US health secretary known for anti-vaccine positions has stoked fears of political interference in public health funding.
The raid may signal increased opposition to the trial, but questions remain about oversight of taxpayer-funded research.

Background

Peter Aaby and Christine Stabell Benn have long argued that vaccines can have overlooked negative effects, a stance that aligns with Kennedy's views. Their work has been controversial, and Danish authorities are currently probing allegations of scientific misconduct. The trial in Guinea-Bissau was paused in January after global outcry but appeared to be resurrected with fresh CDC funding in September, reigniting the debate.

Key Perspectives

International health experts: Have described the trial as 'unethical,' warning that it would needlessly put newborns at risk of hepatitis B infection. The researchers (Aaby and Stabell Benn): Claim that vaccines cause overlooked harms, but have not publicly defended this specific trial since the raid. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Has praised the researchers and directed federal funds to their work, despite the controversy. Danish authorities: Are investigating the researchers for scientific misconduct. Guinea-Bissau authorities: Carried out the raid and seized vaccine doses intended for the trial.

What to Watch

Whether Danish disciplinary proceedings lead to sanctions against the researchers.
Further CDC funding decisions under Kennedy and possible congressional scrutiny.
The response from international health bodies and Guinea-Bissau officials regarding the trial's future.
Potential legal or administrative actions resulting from the police seizure.

Sources

Cops raid office of RFK Jr. allies planning “unethical” vaccine trial on babies · Ars Technica - All content

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedPolice raided the offices of researchers linked to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Ars Technica - All content: “Police in Guinea-Bissau raided the offices of Danish researchers on Monday”
SupportedThe police seized hepatitis B vaccine doses intended for a trial on newborns.Ars Technica - All content: “seizing doses of hepatitis B vaccine intended for a vaccine trial for newborns.”
SupportedInternational health experts called the trial “unethical.”Ars Technica - All content: “International health experts have called the trial " unethical ,"”
SupportedThe researchers were funded by the US CDC under Kennedy.Ars Technica - All content: “Under Kennedy, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in December that it had awarded the Danish researchers—led by married couple Peter Aaby and Christine Stabell Benn of Bandim Health Project— an unsolicited $1.6 million grant to run the trial .”
Partly supportedThe trial would have exposed infants to the risk of lifelong hepatitis B infection.Ars Technica - All content: “which would potentially expose thousands of newborns in the country to hepatitis B, risking a lifelong infection”
Partly supportedThe trial had drawn intense scrutiny over its funding and links to Kennedy.Ars Technica - All content: “Plans for the trial were halted in January as widespread condemnation erupted over the trial's design”
Partly supportedThe raid targeted the Bandim Health Project, run by Peter Aaby and Christine Stabell Benn.Ars Technica - All content: “the Danish researchers—led by married couple Peter Aaby and Christine Stabell Benn of Bandim Health Project”
SupportedAaby and Stabell Benn are under investigation by Danish authorities for alleged scientific misconduct.Ars Technica - All content: “They have been repeatedly praised by Kennedy, but are currently under investigation for alleged scientific misconduct by Danish authorities.”
SupportedThe researchers claim vaccines cause overlooked harms, and Kennedy has repeatedly praised them.Ars Technica - All content: “Aaby and Stabell Benn are controversial vaccine researchers who claim vaccines cause overlooked harms. They have been repeatedly praised by Kennedy”
SupportedPlans for the trial were halted in January amid widespread condemnation of its design.Ars Technica - All content: “Plans for the trial were halted in January as widespread condemnation erupted over the trial's design”
Partly supportedRolling Stone reported earlier this month that the CDC set aside an additional $1.6 million in late September and planned to move forward with the trial.Ars Technica - All content: “Outrage flared again after a Rolling Stone story earlier this month claimed the CDC set aside another $1.6 million in funding in late September and planned to move forward with the trial.”
Partly supportedThe seizure followed the police operation, which removed vaccines intended for the trial.Ars Technica - All content: “Police in Guinea-Bissau raided the offices of Danish researchers on Monday, seizing doses of hepatitis B vaccine intended for a vaccine trial for newborns.”