It's the sovereignty of the country': Guinea-Bissau says US vaccine study suspended

"The study on hepatitis B vaccination, to be led by Danish researchers, became a flashpoint after major changes to the US vaccination schedule and prompted questions about how research is conducted ethically in other countries. On Thursday, Quinhin Nantote, a military doctor and the recently appointed minister of health in Guinea-Bissau, confirmed to journalists that the trial has been cancelled or suspended because the science was not well-reviewed."

"A team of research experts at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, at Nantote's request, will travel to Guinea-Bissau to help officials review the study. Officials from Denmark and the US have also been invited to review the trial, Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa CDC, said at the press meeting. The decision to halt the trial is not for international organizations or foreign countries to determine, Kaseya said."

"Officials with the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have called into question the credibility of the Africa CDC, after officials with the organization confirmed the study was cancelled. To be clear, the trial will proceed as planned, Andrew Nixon, an HHS spokesperson, said in a statement on Wednesday. He said the Africa CDC was waging a public-relations campaign aimed to shape public perception rather than engaging with the scientific facts. When asked by the Guardian, he offered no proof of either claim."

Guinea-Bissau suspended a US-funded hepatitis B vaccine trial led by Danish researchers, citing that the science was not well-reviewed. The suspension followed a November coup and recent replacement of top leaders, with the newly appointed health minister confirming the action. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will send research experts, at the minister's request, to assist national officials in reviewing the study; officials from Denmark and the United States have also been invited. Africa CDC director-general Jean Kaseya emphasized national sovereignty in deciding the trial's fate. US Department of Health and Human Services officials disputed the cancellation and questioned the Africa CDC's credibility, asserting the trial will proceed.

Read at www.theguardian.com