Newborns are Being Under-Vaccinated on a Life-Saving Shot That's Been a Routine for Decades
A staggering 77% increase in newborns going without a critical shot that prevents life-threatening bleeding has healthcare providers sounding the alarm. The vitamin K shot, a routine procedure since the 1960s, has seen a significant decline in its administration over the past few years.
Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia analyzed health records from nearly 5 million babies across more than 400 hospitals in the US, revealing that the percentage of newborns not receiving the vitamin K shot rose from 2.92% in 2017 to 5.18% in 2024. The study's lead author, Dr. Kristan Scott, warned that opting out of the shot is akin to "gambling with a child's health," as it can lead to severe complications.
The vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) that this shot prevents is devastating and potentially fatal. Babies are born with insufficient vitamin K, which can cause life-threatening bleeds in the intestines and brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, babies who don't receive the shot are 81 times more likely to get severe bleeds than those who do.
The decline in adherence to routine childhood immunizations has been on the rise, contributing to a drop in kindergarten vaccination rates. Some parents may be hesitant due to concerns over potential links between the shot and childhood cancer, which have since been refuted by multiple studies. However, these concerns are largely unfounded, and growing hesitancy among parents about routine childhood vaccinations is a broader issue.
Dr. Tiffany McKee-Garrett, an associate professor of pediatrics at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, noted that the rarity of VKDB in the US may contribute to parents' lack of understanding about the risks of declining the shot. Dr. Ivan Hand, director of neonatology at NYC Health + Hospitals Kings County, added that the decline is a cause for concern and highlights the need for healthcare providers to educate parents on best practices.
As the study's senior authors emphasized, it's essential to "reverse vaccine misperceptions" and promote accurate information about childhood vaccinations. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is working to address these concerns, urging parents to follow routine vaccination recommendations to safeguard their children's health.
A staggering 77% increase in newborns going without a critical shot that prevents life-threatening bleeding has healthcare providers sounding the alarm. The vitamin K shot, a routine procedure since the 1960s, has seen a significant decline in its administration over the past few years.
Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia analyzed health records from nearly 5 million babies across more than 400 hospitals in the US, revealing that the percentage of newborns not receiving the vitamin K shot rose from 2.92% in 2017 to 5.18% in 2024. The study's lead author, Dr. Kristan Scott, warned that opting out of the shot is akin to "gambling with a child's health," as it can lead to severe complications.
The vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) that this shot prevents is devastating and potentially fatal. Babies are born with insufficient vitamin K, which can cause life-threatening bleeds in the intestines and brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, babies who don't receive the shot are 81 times more likely to get severe bleeds than those who do.
The decline in adherence to routine childhood immunizations has been on the rise, contributing to a drop in kindergarten vaccination rates. Some parents may be hesitant due to concerns over potential links between the shot and childhood cancer, which have since been refuted by multiple studies. However, these concerns are largely unfounded, and growing hesitancy among parents about routine childhood vaccinations is a broader issue.
Dr. Tiffany McKee-Garrett, an associate professor of pediatrics at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, noted that the rarity of VKDB in the US may contribute to parents' lack of understanding about the risks of declining the shot. Dr. Ivan Hand, director of neonatology at NYC Health + Hospitals Kings County, added that the decline is a cause for concern and highlights the need for healthcare providers to educate parents on best practices.
As the study's senior authors emphasized, it's essential to "reverse vaccine misperceptions" and promote accurate information about childhood vaccinations. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is working to address these concerns, urging parents to follow routine vaccination recommendations to safeguard their children's health.
just saw that 77% more newborns are skipping the vitamin K shot 
it's crazy! I mean, we've known about this shot for decades and now it's like a gamble with our kids' lives 
parents need to get educated on the risks of not getting vaccinated 
I'm all about giving my child the best chance at life, so I'd definitely want them to get the shot 
I'm really concerned about this trend 
. As a parent, it's natural to have questions and doubts, but in this case, the science is clear 
. Vitamin K shot has been a lifesaver for decades, and its decline is alarming 
. I think we need to educate parents better on the risks of not vaccinating their kids 
. The stats are scary – 81 times more likely to get severe bleeds? That's a risk worth taking, if you ask me 
. We need healthcare providers to step up and provide accurate info to parents. Let's not gamble with our kids' health 
.
I mean, 81 times more likely to get severe bleeds? That's a big deal! 
My sister had a friend who almost died from VKDB when she was a kid... it's just not something you can "wait and see" on. We need to make sure our kids are protected, plain and simple 
. It's crazy to me that some parents think they're taking a risk by not getting their baby vaccinated 
Let's make sure our healthcare providers are super chill and educating parents on the importance of these shots 
. We can also try to simplify the info so it's not overwhelming 
. But overall, let's keep a positive vibe and focus on keeping our babies healthy and happy! 
.
What's going on with all these parents thinking they can just opt out of this? Vitamin K deficiency bleeding is NO JOKE, folks! 
They've been debunked like a million times! 
So yeah, let's all just take a deep breath and follow the science here. Vaccines save lives, folks! 
the risks are super real tho, like 81 times more likely to get severe bleeds if u dont get the shot 
let's get educated and make sure our kids are protected, no room for misinformation here 
.
i know some folks are worried about links to childhood cancer but studies have shown those concerns are baseless 
the risks far outweigh any potential benefits. we gotta get more info out there and make sure parents understand the importance of these vaccinations 
77% increase in newborns not getting the vitamin K shot? That's insane! What if their baby gets severe bleeding in the intestines or brain? It could be life-threatening 
. let's get the word out and promote accurate info about childhood vaccinations 
and yeah, I get it. Vitamin K deficiency bleeding is serious business - it can cause life-threatening bleeds. The stats are crazy - 81 times more likely to get severe bleeds if they don't get the shot? That's not something you want to mess around with 
.
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. On the other hand, some parents are justifiably worried about potential links to childhood cancer, you know? They shouldn't just blindly follow the crowd and get vaccinated without doing their research 
.
What if vaccines aren't as safe as we think? That's the thing - we just don't know for sure 
. We need more research and transparency, you know? It's like, we can't just rely on one study or expert opinion 
.
It's crazy to think that in the past decade alone, there's been a 77% increase in newborns not getting this life-saving shot!