Overview
- Scientific American reports HHS plans to move forward with a CDC-funded, $1.6 million, five-year randomized trial of 14,000 newborns in Guinea-Bissau.
- Half of enrolled infants would not receive the hepatitis B shot at birth, with HHS noting Guinea-Bissau is not slated to introduce the birth dose until 2027.
- Inside Medicine published a leaked protocol indicating no maternal hepatitis B testing and no predefined stop rule, drawing sharp criticism from experts including Wilbur H. Chen.
- The Guardian reported an Africa CDC official said the study was halted, but HHS disputed any cancellation and Africa CDC has not responded to requests for comment.
- The grant was awarded without competition to Danish researchers promoted by antivaccine activists and HHS chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr., intensifying concerns about politicization and oversight.