New vaccine policy shifts stoke questions about newborn care
U.S. vaccine-policy changes under Health Secretary Kennedy are fueling hesitation in labor wards, with doctors reporting more families delaying standard newborn care such as vitamin K injections and erythromycin eye ointment amid distrust and social-media misinformation. While pediatricians stress these treatments and routine immunizations are crucial—and some measles outbreaks spur early vaccination—officials say policy shifts haven’t caused the declines. In 2024, vitamin K was not given to more than 5% of newborns, up from under 3% in 2017, with some parents opting for oral vitamin K.