AGP Executive Report

Hepatitis B Trial: A reported $1.6 million CDC grant helped revive a disputed study in Guinea-Bissau, where Danish researchers plan to delay the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine for half of 14,000 newborns until six weeks of age. The virus is widespread and can cause lifelong infection, liver failure and cancer. Government Response: Health Minister Quinhin Nantote says Guinea-Bissau has not approved the trial, despite Danish ethics approval, and insists research involving children must meet national law and international ethics standards. The US health department also says the study is not approved. The birth dose is expected to become standard in Guinea-Bissau in 2028.

Newborn Vaccine Study: Guinea-Bissau’s health minister says the government has not approved a proposed U.S.-funded hepatitis B study in newborns, contradicting reports that it had the green light. The Danish university overseeing the research approved a revised plan involving 14,000 babies, with half scheduled to receive the vaccine at six weeks rather than at birth; babies born to mothers who test positive for hepatitis B would be excluded. The study cannot begin without Guinea-Bissau’s authorization. Health Minister Quinhin Nantote said research involving children must meet national law and international ethical standards. The hepatitis B birth dose helps prevent infection passed from mother to child.

Newborn Health: Guinea-Bissau’s government says it has not approved a proposed hepatitis B vaccine trial in newborns, despite reports that the study had received ethics approval. Health Minister Quinhin Nantote said research involving children must meet national laws and international ethical standards; the US health department also says the trial is not approved. The study would enroll 14,000 babies, with half not receiving the birth dose until six weeks. Hepatitis B can pass from mother to child during birth, and the WHO recommends vaccination within 24 hours.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Trial: A revised study plan in Guinea-Bissau would enroll 14,000 newborns, giving half the hepatitis B vaccine at birth and delaying it for the rest until six weeks. Babies born to mothers who test positive for the virus would be excluded. Denmark’s University of Southern Denmark and Guinea-Bissau’s ethics committee have approved the plan, but one report says final government authorization is still pending. The $1.6 million CDC-funded trial has drawn strong criticism because it delays a vaccine recommended at birth; the WHO previously said the original design fell short of recognized scientific and ethical principles.

Hepatitis B Trial: A revised study in Guinea-Bissau has received ethics approvals and could enroll 14,000 newborns, with half receiving the hepatitis B vaccine at birth and half waiting until six weeks. Babies whose mothers test positive for the virus would be excluded. The $1.6 million U.S.-funded trial remains contentious: the WHO recommends vaccination within 24 hours of birth to help prevent mother-to-child transmission, and reports say final government authorization is still pending.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Trial: The University of Southern Denmark has approved a CDC-funded study in Guinea-Bissau that would enroll 14,000 newborns and delay the birth-dose vaccine for half of them for six weeks. The vaccine helps prevent lifelong infection, including transmission from mother to child. Guinea-Bissau’s government has not yet granted final authorization, so the trial cannot begin. Health experts have condemned the design as unethical.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Trial: The University of Southern Denmark has approved a CDC-funded study that would delay the birth-dose hepatitis B vaccine for half of 14,000 newborns in Guinea-Bissau until they are six weeks old. Health experts have condemned the plan as unethical because the vaccine helps prevent lifelong infection, including infections passed from mother to child. The trial cannot begin without final government authorization in Guinea-Bissau.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Trial: A controversial study in Guinea-Bissau has won approval from the University of Southern Denmark and local officials, despite months of international criticism. Researchers plan to enroll 14,000 newborns, giving half the hepatitis B vaccine at birth and delaying it for six weeks for the rest. The disease affects nearly one in five people in the country, and experts warn that delaying the proven vaccine could leave babies vulnerable to lifelong infection. U.S. Funding: The CDC is reportedly preparing $1.6 million for the trial, which had been suspended earlier this year. Health advocates say the design raises serious ethical concerns.

Hepatitis B Trial: Danish university ethics officials approved a controversial study in Guinea-Bissau that would give the birth-dose vaccine to half of 14,000 newborns and delay it for six weeks for the rest. Guinea-Bissau officials have also reportedly approved the project, while the CDC is said to have set aside $1.6 million in funding. Health experts warn that withholding a proven vaccine could put babies at risk of lifelong infection; nearly one in five people in the country is infected with hepatitis B. Regional Disease Preparedness: ECOWAS animal-health officials met in Lomé to strengthen cross-border surveillance and control of threats including avian influenza, rabies and foot-and-mouth disease. Better coordination could help protect livestock, food supplies and livelihoods across West Africa.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Trial: A Danish university has approved a study in Guinea-Bissau that plans to withhold the birth-dose vaccine from half of 14,000 newborns for six weeks. Guinea-Bissau officials have also reportedly approved the trial, which was previously paused amid ethical objections. The CDC has reportedly set aside $1.6 million to fund it. Health experts warn that delaying a proven vaccine could leave babies vulnerable to lifelong infection; nearly one in five people in Guinea-Bissau has hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B Trial: A controversial study in Guinea-Bissau has received approval from the University of Southern Denmark and local officials, according to reports. Researchers plan to enroll 14,000 newborns, giving half the hepatitis B vaccine at birth and delaying it for the others for six weeks. Critics say withholding a proven, protective dose exposes babies to preventable risk; nearly one in five people in Guinea-Bissau are infected with hepatitis B. The trial was previously paused, and reports say the CDC is preparing $1.6 million in funding, though it is unclear whether the study will now proceed.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Trial: The University of Southern Denmark has reportedly approved a controversial Guinea-Bissau study, with the CDC seeking $1.6 million to support it. The trial would withhold the protective birth-dose vaccine from half of 14,000 newborns. Health advocates condemn the plan as unethical; nearly one in five people in Guinea-Bissau has hepatitis B. Regional Disease Watch: ECOWAS health and veterinary officials met in Togo to strengthen surveillance and control of cross-border animal diseases, including avian influenza, rabies and foot-and-mouth disease—threats to livelihoods and food security across West Africa.

Vaccine Study: Stand Up for Science is condemning reported plans to revive a hepatitis B vaccine trial involving newborns in Guinea-Bissau. A separate report says the CDC’s director’s office instructed staff to set aside $1.6 million for the study, which was suspended after concerns that its protocol would withhold a proven intervention. The CDC’s reported funding move has renewed questions about the trial’s ethics. Animal Health: ECOWAS officials met in Togo this week to strengthen regional surveillance and control of animal diseases, including avian influenza, rabies and foot-and-mouth disease. The effort matters for livestock, food security and early detection of cross-border health threats.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Study: The U.S. CDC is moving to allocate $1.6 million for a previously suspended clinical trial in Guinea-Bissau examining the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose. The study’s revised protocol followed an international ethics controversy, and the funding is drawn from the agency’s global health security budget. Regional Disease Surveillance: West African veterinary and public health officials met in Lomé from October 6 to 8 to strengthen early detection and control of animal diseases that can cross borders. The ECOWAS gathering also reviewed regional disease risks and ways to improve coordination among veterinary services and surveillance networks.

Animal Health: ECOWAS veterinary officials are meeting in Lomé from October 6 to 8 to strengthen surveillance and control of diseases that cross borders. The gathering is reviewing regional coordination and tools for early detection—key priorities for protecting livestock and public health across Guinea-Bissau and the wider region.

Animal Disease Surveillance: ECOWAS veterinary and public health officials are meeting in Lomé from October 6–8 to strengthen early detection and control of animal diseases that cross borders. The gathering includes regional laboratory and surveillance networks and will review rules for animal health and livestock trade. Rabies Prevention: ECOWAS is urging countries to coordinate vaccination, surveillance and community awareness. In the first quarter of 2026, 305 of 786 reported priority zoonotic disease outbreaks in the region were linked to dog-transmitted rabies, which is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.