Lawmakers Call on CDC to Track Newborns Who Miss Vitamin K Shot After ProPublica Investigation
ProPublica—Members of Congress called on the Centers for Disease Control to begin tracking how many newborns are not receiving the standard vitamin K injection after a ProPublica investigation documented a rise in parents refusing the shot. The vitamin K shot is given at birth to prevent a rare but potentially fatal bleeding disorder in newborns. ProPublica's reporting found that refusals are rising in some communities, often driven by misinformation spread on social media. Lawmakers said the absence of data makes it impossible to assess the public health risk and design targeted interventions.