A Dutch court has ruled that Bill Gates, billionaire and global vaccine advocate, must stand trial in the Netherlands over allegations that he misled the public regarding COVID-19 vaccine safety during the pandemic. The decision comes as part of a lawsuit filed by seven plaintiffs who claim to have suffered injuries from the vaccines.
In addition to Gates, the plaintiffs have named former Dutch Prime Minister and current NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, members of the Dutch government’s COVID-19 Outbreak Management Team, and the Dutch state itself as defendants. The lawsuit, initially filed in 2023, alleges that Gates played a significant role in promoting vaccines they claim were not fully safe.
According to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Gates’ statements during the pandemic included urging investment in diverse vaccine manufacturing options to accelerate global access. In a 2020 article, he wrote, “We aren’t sure which vaccines will be the most effective yet, and each requires unique technology to make. That means nations need to invest in many different kinds of manufacturing facilities now, knowing that some will never be used. Otherwise, we’ll waste months after the lab develops an immunization, waiting for the right manufacturer to scale up.”
A hearing is set for November 27, 2024, where the court will further examine the claims and evidence presented by both sides. This high-profile case has drawn international attention, as it highlights ongoing global debates around vaccine safety, public health policy, and the role of influential figures and organizations in shaping pandemic response measures.
