Controversial US-backed vaccine trial in African newborns halted
Summary
A US-supported hepatitis B vaccine trial in newborns in Guinea-Bissau has been stopped because it did not get government approval. The government has taken control of the vaccines, and experts urge providing the hepatitis B vaccine to all newborns quickly to protect against the disease.Key Facts
- The hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau was halted due to lack of government approval.
- The study was funded with $1.6 million from the US CDC and $1.6 million from private groups.
- Guinea-Bissau’s health minister denied that the trial would proceed.
- The government took possession of the vaccines after searching the research project’s offices.
- Experts criticized the trial as unethical because newborns not in the study would not get the vaccine.
- Guinea-Bissau plans to offer the hepatitis B vaccine to all newborns by 2028.
- The World Health Organization recommends giving the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth.
- The trial tested the idea that giving hepatitis B vaccine with other vaccines could affect overall child survival, a theory some experts said lacks evidence.
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