Guinea-Bissau's government formally rejected a US-funded clinical trial that would have withheld the hepatitis B newborn vaccine from half of participating infants, citing severe ethical concerns. The decision followed an international outcry from experts and the WHO who condemned the study design as unethical and scientifically unjustified. Police in Guinea-Bissau also raided the Bandim Health Project offices and seized vaccines after the rejection.
Background
The hepatitis B newborn vaccine is a globally recommended standard-of-care intervention that has been used safely for decades. A controversial hypothesis suggested the vaccine might have unintended nonspecific effects, prompting the flawed trial design in Guinea-Bissau.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Oct 23, 2026 at 12:37 AM
- Score
- 6.0 / 10