Guinea-Bissau's Minister of Health, Quinhin Nantote, announced on Tuesday that the government has not approved a controversial hepatitis B study involving newborns. This study, which is backed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, would be funded by the US government and private partners.
Study Overview
The proposed study aims to track "nonspecific" health outcomes, such as overall mortality and neurodevelopmental conditions, rather than investigating the safety or effectiveness of vaccines. Members of a Danish research ethics committee were previously informed that local officials had approved an updated design of the study, which influenced their votes to proceed with the trial last week.
Government's Stance
However, Minister Nantote clarified that the health ministry never authorized the trial, referring to it as "tests" during a press briefing. He stated:
“"The ministry did not authorize the tests under the terms presented in the publications currently in circulation."
Nantote expressed surprise at media reports suggesting that Guinea-Bissau had approved the study. He emphasized that any scientific research involving human beings, especially children, must adhere to national legislation and international ethical principles.
Emergency Meeting
Following these revelations, Nantote convened an emergency meeting with various local health authorities, including the Bandim Health Project, the local ethics committee, the National Institute of Public Health (Inasa), and the Expanded Vaccination Program (PAV). The Bandim Health Project is led by Danish researchers Peter Aaby and Christine Stabell Benn, whose work has faced scrutiny in recent years.
