Controversial US-backed vaccine trial in African newborns halted
Hepatitis B study in Guinea-Bissau that was to be funded by CDC and that drew global backlash ‘will not move forward’
TL;DR
- The US-backed hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau has been halted.
- The lead researcher stated that the study will not move forward due to a lack of necessary governmental approval.
- The study was to be funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private foundations.
- Critics, including vaccine expert Paul Offit, raised ethical concerns about informed consent and questioned the scientific hypothesis of the trial.
- The government of Guinea-Bissau has seized the researchers' vaccines.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends all infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible after birth.
- Experts argue that not vaccinating newborns against hepatitis B poses a lifelong danger due to high incidence rates in countries like Guinea-Bissau.