Growing Refusal of Newborn Vitamin K Shots Sparks Bleeding Risks
U.S. data show a sharp rise in parents refusing the standard vitamin K shot at birth, with the rate hitting 8.1% by June 2026 (up from 5.2% six months earlier), about 2.5 times the 2019–2024 average. Vitamin K prevents dangerous bleeding in newborns, and without it infants are far more likely to suffer brain or gut bleeds in the first six months (81 times more likely; one in 59 births). The trend is linked to broader vaccine mistrust and mixed political messaging about routine newborn interventions, prompting some hospitals to stock the shot and clinicians to adjust consent practices and circumcision policies. Health officials warn the shift could reverse progress in preventing preventable newborn illnesses.
