US Refusals of Crucial Newborn Vitamin Spike, Raising Risk of Dangerous Bleeding
Health records for more than 1 million births found non-receipt rose to 8.1% by late June, leaving more newborns at risk of bleeding.
- Newborn vitamin K refusal rates jumped more than 57% from January through June 2026, according to health data company Truveta's analysis of over 1 million births nationwide.
- Pediatricians link rising hesitancy to shifting federal health policies under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Donald Trump, who have questioned routine childhood immunizations.
- By June's end, 8.1% of U.S. infants had not received the shot, up from 5.2% six months prior, with 8.9% of girls and 7.3% of boys unprotected.
- Dr. Amanda Furr, chief medical officer of Zarminali Pediatrics, has begun stocking the injection in primary care practices to counter the trend.
- Without the injection, infants are 81 times more likely to suffer life-threatening bleeding during their first six months, the CDC warns, prompting Dr. Nia Heard-Garris of Lurie Children's Hospital to stress infant safety concerns.
30 Articles
30 Articles
The Independent
The Independent (US)Newborn shot refusals soar 57% amid Trump and RFK Jr. health shake-up
Health agency says it is evaluating data and surveillance related to vitamin K refusals and bleeding events
The Economic Times
US refusals of crucial newborn vitamin spike, raising risk of dangerous bleeding
US hospitals report a significant rise in vitamin K shot refusals for newborns. This trend has accelerated sharply this year, increasing life-threatening bleeding risks. Girl babies are disproportionately affected by these increasing vitamin K refusal rates. Doctors express growing concern over the rising risk of catastrophic bleeding in newborns. Health agencies are evaluating data and surveillance related to vitamin K refusals and bleeding eve…
A medical practice used for decades to protect babies is increasingly questioned in the United States. Doctors are concerned about this trend and warn about the risks to newborns.
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