Dutch Researcher Exits ‘Unethical’ Vaccine Trial

“Very unethical”, “immoral” and⁢ “cruel”.‌ These where some of the qualifications critics gave to a planned vaccine study with newborns in⁤ the West⁤ African country ⁢of guinea-Bissau.⁤ The⁣ study, which was ⁢scheduled‌ to begin this year, would ‍map side effects of a hepatitis B vaccine. For ⁣this purpose,‌ a​ group ‍of 7,000 children ⁤would receive a hepatitis B vaccination‌ shortly after birth, and⁣ a control ‍group of an equal number of children would ‌not receive the shot.

But that’s where the shoe pinches, because hepatitis B poses a notable risk in ⁢Guinea-Bissau. Of all adults in the ‌country, ​18 percent carry the virus, and children who ‍become​ infected early ⁣in life can suffer serious‌ and life-threatening complications years later. They face a high risk of liver cirrhosis and ⁢liver cancer, which drastically reduces their life expectancy.

The⁢ World Health Institution therefore states⁢ that children ⁤in areas where hepatitis B is common should be vaccinated as ‍soon as possible. This study, funded by the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and led‍ by researchers⁣ from the University of South Denmark, dose not meet that requirement.⁢ “This smacks of neocolonialism,” reacted Gavin Yamey, professor⁤ of global‌ health ⁢ at Duke University, in the British newspaper ​ The Guardian, as​ a trial with such risks⁤ for children would never be allowed to ​be carried out ‍in ‌the West.

scene of‍ a military coup

After all the commotion of​ recent weeks, ⁣the study has been halted. This​ was reported⁣ by ​Yap‌ Boum,senior‌ representative of Africa CDC,the African Union’s public health ‍agency. But whether it is ⁣really⁣ fully ‌off the​ table remains unconfirmed. Guinea-Bissau was the scene of a military coup​ in November 2025. The government, ⁣including the ministry of Public⁤ Health, has ‍since…

Researcher Resigns from⁢ Vaccine Trial, Citing Ethical Concerns

A researcher at radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands, has resigned from a vaccine trial, alleging unethical practices. dr. Iris‌ van⁤ der Heide⁤ publicly announced her departure on January 21,2026,citing ⁤concerns over⁢ informed consent and data ⁣handling within the study.

Concerns Over⁤ Informed Consent

Van der Heide claims participants were not fully informed about the potential risks associated with the experimental vaccine. Specifically, she alleges that the study ‌protocol downplayed the likelihood of severe adverse reactions and⁢ failed ​to adequately explain the long-term effects. ⁢ She stated in a⁢ public letter that the consent forms were “misleading and incomplete.”

Data Handling Issues

The researcher also ⁤raised concerns ​about the way data was ‌being collected and​ analyzed. She alleges that certain data points were ‌being selectively excluded, perhaps skewing the results of the trial.‌ ‌Van der ‌Heide claims she brought these issues to the attention of the study’s‌ principal investigator, ⁣professor Pieter de Vries, but​ her concerns⁤ were dismissed.

University Response

Radboud University has acknowledged Van der Heide’s resignation and stated‍ that ‍it is taking the⁤ allegations seriously. in a press release issued on January 21, ⁣2026, the university announced it has launched an internal investigation into the matter. “We are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in all⁢ of our⁣ research,” the statement read. ⁣The investigation is expected to conclude⁣ within four weeks.

The Vaccine‍ Trial

the ‌vaccine trial, funded by pharmaceutical company BioNova,‌ is‍ testing a new mRNA vaccine designed to​ protect against a novel strain of influenza. approximately 200 participants are currently enrolled in the​ study. BioNova has not yet commented on the⁣ allegations.

Further updates will be provided ‌as the investigation progresses.