Why Guinea-Bissau halted a controversial hepatitis vaccine trial for babies
Summary
Guinea-Bissau has reportedly halted a U.S.-funded hepatitis B vaccine trial after it failed to receive required government approval, according to a researcher involved in the project. The planned study would have delayed the birth dose for one group of babies, drawing criticism from health experts and the World Health Organization, which called the trial unethical.Key Facts
- The trial planned to compare babies given a hepatitis B vaccine at birth with babies given it at six weeks.
- Researchers expected about 14,000 babies to take part and planned to track their health for five years.
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided $1.6 million for the project.
- Guinea-Bissau’s government paused the project in January and began a review.
- The country’s judicial police raided the research group’s facilities in Bissau in mid-October and seized vaccine batches.
- Authorities said they were investigating whether the trial met national safety standards.
- The Bandim Health Project, based in Bissau and affiliated with the University of Southern Denmark, planned the trial.
- Officials in Guinea-Bissau had not commented on the reported halt.
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