Controversial US-backed vaccine trial in African newborns halted
A controversial US-backed hepatitis B vaccine trial involving newborns in Guinea-Bissau has been halted. Local health officials and researchers confirmed the study will not proceed after failing to receive necessary government approvals.
Why it matters
The cancellation highlights international sensitivities surrounding clinical trials in developing nations and medical ethics.
A woman stands in a shared room at a residential care facility for pregnant mothers in Gabu, Guinea Bissau, on 22 May 2012. A woman stands in a shared room at a residential care facility for pregnant mothers in Gabu, Guinea Bissau, on 22 May 2012. Guinea-Bissau 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’
Prefer the Guardian on Google The US-backed hepatitis B vaccine trial in African newborns that drew global backlash was halted, the lead researcher said on Wednesday.
It is “now clear” that the study “will not move forward in Guinea-Bissau”, Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, a Danish researcher, wrote on LinkedIn, adding, “we were not given the necessary governmental approval.”
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in