Statement on the planned hepatitis B birth dose vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau

No images? Click here Friday, 13 February 2026 Statement on the planned hepatitis B birth dose vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau https://www.who.int/news/item/13-02-2026-statement-on-the-planned-hepatitis-b-birth-dose-vaccine-trial-in-guinea-bissau The World Health Organization (WHO) underscores that the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine is an effective, and essential public health intervention, with a proven record. It prevents life‑threatening liver disease by stopping mother‑to‑child transmission at birth. It has been used for over three decades, with more than 115 countries including it in their national schedules. Protecting newborns with a timely birth dose not only provides individual benefit but is also central to national and global elimination efforts. In response to recent questions from the media, WHO would like to state the following: WHO is aware of the proposed randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine in Guinea‑Bissau. Based on questions raised in publicly available information and consultation with relevant experts, WHO has significant concerns regarding the study’s scientific justification, ethical safeguards, and overall alignment with established principles for research involving human participants. Why withholding the vaccine is unethical Proven benefit, foreseeable harm: The hepatitis B birth dose vaccine is known to have a proven safety record across decades of use and is effective in preventing 70–95% of cases of mother‑to‑child transmission. A study which provides the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine, a proven lifesaving intervention, but withholds it from some study participants exposes newborns to serious and potentially irreversible harm, including chronic infection, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. No scientific necessity for a no‑treatment arm: Placebo or no‑treatment vaccine trials are only acceptable when no proven intervention exists or when such a design is indispensable to answer a critical question of efficacy or safety. Neither condition appears to be met based on publicly available descriptions of the study. Insufficient scientific justification: Publicly available descriptions indicate that the protocol does not question the established efficacy and impact of the birth dose; instead, it posits hypothetical safety outcomes without sufficient credible evidence of a safety signal that would warrant exposing participants to risk. Biased and low‑utility design: As described publicly, the single‑blind, no‑treatment‑controlled design raises a significant likelihood of substantial risk of bias, limiting interpretability of the study results and their policy relevance. Exploiting scarcity is not ethical: Resource constraints cannot be used to justify withholding proven care in a research study involving people. Ethical obligations require minimizing risk and ensuring a prospect of benefit for participants. From what is publicly described, the protocol does not appear to ensure even a minimum level of harm reduction and benefit to the study participants (e.g. screening pregnant women and vaccinating newborns exposed to hepatitis B). In its current form, and based on publicly available information, the trial is inconsistent with established ethical and scientific principles. WHO is aware that Guinea-Bissau has suspended the study pending further technical reviews. WHO stands ready to support Guinea‑Bissau as it considers its way forward and in accelerating the introduction of the birth dose and strengthening implementation through: birth‑dose delivery within 24 hours (including strategies for home and facility births); antenatal screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), linkage to care, and neonatal prophylaxis; cold‑chain, last‑mile logistics, and midwife/HCW training; and monitoring of timeliness and coverage, pharmacovigilance, and data use for continuous improvement. WHO remains committed to working with national authorities, researchers, and partners to ensure that all newborns – in Guinea‑Bissau and worldwide – receive timely, evidence‑based protection against hepatitis B, and that research conducted in this area meets the highest ethical and scientific standards. Editor’s note Hepatitis B causes hundreds of thousands of deaths globally each year. Transmission at birth is the most common route to lifelong infection; ~90% of newborns infected during childbirth become chronic carriers at high risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. In Guinea‑Bissau, >12% of adults are estimated to be living with chronic hepatitis B (2022), and infection in children under five (~2% in 2020) is far above the global target (≤0.1%). Guinea‑Bissau formally decided in 2024 to add the hepatitis B birth dose to its national schedule, with introduction planned by 2028. This policy decision affirms the vaccine’s value and further underscores the ethical imperative not to deny newborns timely protection.   Media contact: mediainquiries@who.int You are receiving this NO-REPLY email because you are included on a WHO mail list. If you have been forwarded this update you can click here to subscribe. 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GAIN Reports from February 12, 2026

The following GAIN reports were released on February 12, 2026. _______     China: Planting Seeds Annual 2025 China's seed supply for marketing year 2025/26 is sufficient to meet domestic demand, with seed producers generally achieving high yields for major crops including corn, rice, wheat, and soybeans. Imports of vegetable and grass seeds are declining due to rising domestic production, though China still relies on high-end foreign germplasm for specialty seeds. Seed exports are growing, particularly for rice, cotton, and vegetables, driven by strong demand in Asia for Chinese-developed seeds as a finished product for crop production as well as from foreign seed companies which utilize operations in China for certain intermediate portions of their global supply chains.   European Union: EU Early Alert - Pesticide Review - December 2025 The European Union (EU) follows a complex, rolling system of review for active ingredients and Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in food. For agricultural inputs, U.S. farmers must know early in the process of review to prevent or mitigate the loss of, and/or access to, chemical inputs. The information in this document provides interested stakeholders with advance notice of those active ingredients under review, highlighting those substances undergoing new restrictions or may not be renewed. This is a quarterly update from December 2025. For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. This email was sent to ooseims.archieves@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service · 1400 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, DC 20250

My Sister’s Brilliant Tip for Buying the Best Beef Cuts for Way Cheap

Plus, the new dessert everyone's talking about from Trader Joe's February grocery drop.

We launched this newsletter one year ago on Valentine's Day. It felt fitting for our little team; we love food and have a deep appreciation for the ritual of grocery shopping. Cultivating this space and sharing our favorite products, tips, and trends is a highlight of our week. In the past year, our groceries community has grown to nearly 17,000 subscribers. That number makes our chocolate-covered hearts swell with joy. To celebrate, we are doing what we do best: going all-in on our favorite groceries and shopping tips — with love, of course. And if there's ever something you want to know more about, don't hesitate to send us a note. Here's to another delicious year, Mara & Ali  READ MORE My Sister's Brilliant Tip for Buying the Best Beef Cuts for Way Cheap Premium cuts for a fraction of the price. READ MORE A Copycat Cake, Italian Frozen Pizza, and More: The Best New Trader Joe's Groceries You'll fall in love. READ MORE The Delicious Potato Chips Margot Robbie Ate Every Single Day for Weeks on Set Are you seeing "Wuthering Heights" this weekend? READ MORE Will the budget buy beat the splurge? Watch and find out! WATCH HERE ▶️ Follow Us Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences   View this email in your browser    To ensure delivery to your inbox please add newsletters@mail.apartmenttherapy.com to your address book.   The Kitchn is a source of inspiration for a happier, healthier life in your kitchen. If we've inspired you, we may receive a share of purchases made through this email.   Apartment Therapy Media 270 Lafayette Street, Suite 1300 New York, NY 10012   ABOUT | CONTACT US | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE

Quick Smoothies That Actually Satisfy

Delicious sips that hit the spot every time.  ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Hello reader, Packed with fresh flavor and a touch of nostalgia, these smoothies keep things simple and seriously tasty. Blend them up for an instant boost—no fancy ingredients needed! Strawberry Smoothie Recipe GET THE RECIPE Smoothie King Caribbean Way Recipe GET THE RECIPE How to Make the Best Orange Julius GET THE RECIPE Banana Smoothie (3‑Ingredients!) GET THE RECIPE Mango Smoothie with Green Tea GET THE RECIPE Looking for More Recipes? EXPLORE NOW

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Happy Cooking, Sommer

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