Health · Bissau, Guinea-Bissau · October 21, 2026

US-backed hepatitis B vaccine trial in African newborns halted

Reported by 1 outlet · first reported Oct 20, 3:18 PM ET

A planned CDC-funded hepatitis B vaccine study in newborns in Guinea-Bissau will not go forward, its lead Danish researcher said, after global criticism. Judicial police earlier raided the researchers' offices and seized vaccine doses.

Why it matters

The case has drawn attention to research ethics and US health policy under HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.

Background

Hepatitis B vaccination at birth is recommended by the WHO to prevent mother-to-child transmission. The researchers involved had been praised by Kennedy.

Sources

• The Guardian ↗Oct 21, 1:18 PM ET
• The Guardian ↗Oct 20, 3:18 PM ET

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