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Guinea-Bissau Halts US-Backed Newborn Vaccine Study
21 Oct
Summary
- US-backed hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau halted.
- Researchers lacked necessary governmental approval to proceed.
- Health minister denied project would move forward previously.
A US-backed hepatitis B vaccine trial targeting newborns in Guinea-Bissau has been officially halted, with the lead researcher stating it "will not move forward." This decision comes after significant global backlash and a denial of necessary governmental approval.
The minister of health for Guinea-Bissau previously asserted that the project was not proceeding. The study, funded by the CDC and private partners, aimed to test hypotheses about the effects of live vaccines.
Experts criticized the trial's design, particularly concerning informed consent for participants. Concerns were raised about whether mothers could provide true consent when non-participation meant their children would not receive the vaccine.
Despite the study's cancellation, experts emphasize the importance of rolling out hepatitis B immunizations to all newborns in Guinea-Bissau as soon as possible, aligning with WHO recommendations.
