Guinea-Bissau stops controversial US-funded vaccine trial on newborns

Guinea-Bissau has suspended a controversial U.S.-funded study that intended to administer the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns, following international condemnation of its ethical concerns. The research, led by Danish scientists, received funding totaling $3.2 million from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with contributions from private foundations.

The project's cancellation was announced by researcher Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer on LinkedIn, citing the lack of necessary government approval. Vaccine experts, including Paul Offit, criticized the study's scientific foundation and ethical implications, arguing that the funds should instead be used to vaccinate more children against hepatitis B. The controversy also led to the seizure of researchers' vaccines following a raid on the Bandim Health Project's offices.