Doctors across the nation are alarmed that skepticism fueled by rising anti-science sentiment and medical mistrust is increasingly reaching beyond vaccines to other proven, routine, preventive care for babies.
A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which analyzed more than 5 million births nationwide, found that refusals of vitamin K shots nearly doubled between 2017 and 2024, from 2.9% to 5.2%. Other research suggests that parents who decline vitamin K shots are much more likely to refuse getting their newborns the hepatitis B vaccine and an eye ointment to prevent potentially blinding infections. Rates for that vaccination at birth dropped in recent years, and doctors confirm that more parents are refusing the eye medication.
“I do think these families care deeply about their infants,” said Dr. Kelly Wade, a Philadelphia neonatologist. “But I hear from families that it’s hard to make decisions right now because they’re hearing conflicting information.”
Then there is the 4th…at least for medical services…costs. If you can’t afford the good insurance, everything costs so much more money. Even adults are putting off exams and preventative care because wallets are being squeezed from all sides.
Even with the shittiest insurance most basic preventative stuff is covered… because they’d rather cover the simple cheap shit and not have you come in later when your kid is dying of polio or some shit.
yup, preventative appts are free for once per year. they cover most if not all vaccines.
Oh, I diunno… Sounds profitable.
It’s not because you won’t be able to pay
They want you coming in for minor stuff long term, using up your deductible and barely paying copays not incurring a huge cost then dying