Controversial US-backed vaccine trial in African newborns halted

A planned study for a Hepatitis B vaccine in African newborns has been halted. This vaccine funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was meant for babies in Guinea-Bissau. However, the project faced strong global opposition.

Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, a Danish researcher and the lead for the study, confirmed that the trial will not proceed. He announced this on Wednesday, stating that it was now 'clear' the study 'will not move forward in Guinea-Bissau.' The primary reason for this cancellation was the lack of necessary governmental approval from Guinea-Bissau.

The vaccine trial had previously drawn significant international attention and a widespread 'global backlash.' This public outcry put pressure on the organizers. The researcher's statement on LinkedIn clarified that without the official consent from the host country's government, the extensive research involving vulnerable newborn populations could not legally or ethically continue.

This decision means that the controversial US-backed study, which aimed to test the Hepatitis B vaccine's effectiveness in infants, has been officially abandoned in Guinea-Bissau following both public resistance and administrative hurdles.