A controversial US-funded hepatitis B vaccine study in Guinea-Bissau has been cancelled following ethical concerns.
The decision was confirmed by a senior official at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The $1.6m trial, backed by the US Department of Health and Human Services under Robert F Kennedy Jr, faced strong criticism.
Opponents said the design risked withholding proven hepatitis B vaccines from newborns in a high-burden country.
Africa CDC said the study failed to meet ethical standards and required major redesign.
Guinea-Bissau officials later confirmed the trial was halted due to these concerns.
Health experts welcomed the move as a victory for research ethics and child protection.
Critics argued the funds should have been used to vaccinate children directly.
Guinea-Bissau will continue its current vaccination schedule until birth-dose coverage expands in 2027.
