Controversial US-backed vaccine trial in African newborns halted

A controversial US-backed hepatitis B vaccine trial, slated to be conducted on newborns in Guinea-Bissau and funded by the CDC, has been halted. The study, which had previously attracted significant global backlash, will not proceed because it failed to secure the necessary governmental approval. Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, a Danish researcher and the lead investigator, announced the cessation of the trial on LinkedIn. This development marks the end of a contentious research initiative that had drawn criticism worldwide, preventing its implementation in the African nation. The decision underscores the influence of international scrutiny and the requirement for national endorsement in biomedical research, particularly in vulnerable populations. The original plan involved a vaccine trial for Hepatitis B, a disease that affects millions globally, but the method and location sparked considerable ethical debate.