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Guinea-Bissau Halts $1.6M Hepatitis B Vaccine Study Amid Ethics Concerns

1/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Guinea-Bissau suspended the $1.6 million U.S.-funded hepatitis B vaccine study for infants amid ethical concerns raised by public health researchers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the study, which involves about 14,000 infants.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lifted the recommendation for immediate birth vaccination.
The Department of Health and Human Services defended the study's design as meeting high scientific and ethical standards.

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Story summary

Guinea-Bissau suspended the $1.6 million U.S.-funded hepatitis B vaccine study for infants amid ethical concerns raised by public health researchers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the study, which involves about 14,000 infants.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lifted the recommendation for immediate birth vaccination.
The Department of Health and Human Services defended the study's design as meeting high scientific and ethical standards.