Why a US-funded vaccine trial on babies was cancelled in Guinea-Bissau
Summary
Guinea-Bissau cancelled a proposed US-funded trial that would have tested the effects of giving newborns a hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The study planned to give the vaccine to half of 14,000 babies and withhold it from the rest, drawing criticism from the WHO and others because the vaccine is recommended to protect newborns.Key Facts
- The trial was planned at the Bandim Health Project, a research centre in Guinea-Bissau.
- Researchers planned to enroll 14,000 newborns, with half receiving the vaccine shortly after birth.
- The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded the University of Southern Denmark $1.6 million for the study in December 2025.
- The WHO said withholding a vaccine proven to protect newborns raised an ethical concern.
- Guinea-Bissau vaccinates children against hepatitis B at six weeks, although the WHO recommends a birth dose.
- Nearly one-fifth of Guinea-Bissau's population is infected with hepatitis B, according to the article.
- The government prohibited hepatitis B vaccine trials involving children in January and asked the Africa CDC to help assess the study.
- Police seized a batch of vaccines from the research centre at the centre of the dispute.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
