It’s not just vaccines — parents are refusing other routine preventive care for newborns

Associated Press (AP) Public HealthNews ReportEN 6 min read 100% complete by By LAURA UNGARMarch 21, 2026 at 12:53 PM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

A growing number of parents in the U.S. are refusing routine preventive care for newborns, including vitamin K shots, hepatitis B vaccines, and eye ointments. This trend, fueled by anti-science sentiment and medical mistrust, is alarming doctors nationwide. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that refusals of vitamin K shots nearly doubled between 2017 and 2024. Doctors are concerned about the potential health consequences for these vulnerable infants. The Trump administration's undermining of established science, including the appointment of an anti-vaccine activist to a federal advisory committee, has contributed to the problem.

Article Analysis

Framing Angle

Public Health

Primary framing

Human Interest

Secondary framing

Mixed Tone

Sensationalism

Factual

Fact vs Opinion

OpinionFactual

Sources Cited

Well sourced

AI-powered analysis of article framing, tone, and source quality. Scores help identify potential bias and information quality.

Key Claims (5)

AI-Extracted

Babies are born with low levels of vitamin K, leaving them vulnerable.

factual — null100% confidence

"When you look at a child who’s innocent and vulnerable...knowing that baby’s going out into the world is super worrisome to me."

quote — Dr. Tom Patterson100% confidence

A federal advisory committee voted to end the longstanding recommendation to immunize all babies against hepatitis B right after birth.

factual — null100% confidence

Refusals of vitamin K shots nearly doubled between 2017 and 2024, from 2.9% to 5.2%.

statistic — A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association100% confidence

Parents who decline vitamin K shots are much more likely to refuse getting their newborns the hepatitis B vaccine and an eye ointment.

factual — Other research80% confidence

Claims are automatically extracted and should be independently verified. Attribution indicates the stated source of the claim.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Philadelphia 30% Donald Trump 40% Louisville, Kentucky 40% Idaho 40% Kelly Wade 50% Journal of the American Medical Association 50% Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital 50% Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 60% Norton Healthcare ×260% Tom Patterson ×270%

Keywords

newborn preventive care 90% vitamin k shots 80% vaccine refusal 70% medical mistrust 60% anti-science sentiment 60% hepatitis b vaccine 50% eye ointment 50% pediatrics 40% newborns 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Very Negative

Score: -0.60

Source Transparency

Source

Associated Press (AP)

Article Type

News Report

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Louisville, Kentucky

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis.

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newborn preventive care vitamin k shots vaccine refusal medical mistrust anti-science sentiment hepatitis b vaccine eye ointment pediatrics newborns

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