Guinea — Bissau Halts US-Funded Hepatitis B Vaccine Study Amid Ethical Concerns. Bissau, Guinea-Bissau — 2026-01-23 Lead Paragraph: The government of Guinea-Bissau has suspended a US-funded hepatitis B vaccine study, citing ethical concerns.
The study, which was to be conducted by Danish researchers, has been a subject of controversy following major changes to the US vaccination schedule and questions over ethical research practices in other countries.
Guinea — Bissau’s Minister of Health, Quinhin Nantote, confirmed the suspension, stating that the trial has been “cancelled or suspended “due to the science not being well-reviewed.
The decision comes amidst a backdrop of political instability in the country, which experienced a coup in November and saw a replacement of top leaders.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has been involved in the situation, with officials indicating that the study is on pause.
Director — General Jean Kaseya emphasized the importance of respecting Guinea-Bissau’s sovereignty in the decision-making process, stating, “It’s the sovereignty of the country.”
The U. S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has challenged the Africa CDC’s statement, with an HHS spokesperson claiming the trial will proceed as planned.
However, Kaseya pointed out that senior HHS officials were unaware of the statement and highlighted the Africa CDC’s role in responding to outbreaks with global implications. Public health experts have called the study unethical and unnecessary, comparing it to the infamous Tuskegee Experiment.
The researchers proposed to give hepatitis B vaccines to 7,000 infants at birth and withhold them for another 7,000 infants until six weeks of age to study the overall health effects of giving the vaccines alongside other shots.
The fate of the study remains uncertain as Guinea — Bissau’s Ministry of Health reviews the trial. Further details are expected as the situation develops.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
