Scientists reportedly give TB vaccine that killed monkeys to 1,400 babies

Close to 1,400 babies have been given a tuberculosis vaccine that killed five monkeys in medical trials, the Daily Mail reported.

Oxford University scientists gave the children the questionable vaccine that an information sheet described as "safe and effective".

While the babies from South African were left unharmed by the jab, it did not protect them against tuberculosis.

Oxford claim information of the results of the trial test on monkey were given to regulators in the UK, the US and South Africa. The monkeys died because a stronger version of TB had been used.

"We need to develop better and more systematic ways to establish when a drug is ready for clinical trials in humans – and importantly, when it is not," Professor Malcolm Macleod, of the University of Edinburgh told the Daily Mail.

Adding, "Until our institutions recognise that their core purpose is to produce research of value to society they risk a slow decline in their reputation, and possibly a faster and more serious erosion of public trust in science."