Rates of parents declining vitamin K shots for newborns increased from 2.9% to 5.2% over eight years, according to corroborated national data. At Allegheny Health Network hospitals, less than 5% of families declined the shot about two years ago; preliminary data now indicate that 10% or more are declining it. Dr. Bill McCarran said his team is examining data on vitamin K administration across all of the network’s newborn nurseries and neonatal intensive care units, which care for 7,000 to 8,000 babies annually. According to triblive.com, Dr. McCarran said families are much more likely to decline vitamin K shots now than when he started practicing. According to apnews.com, doctors across the nation are alarmed that declining vitamin K shots is linked to broader skepticism and medical mistrust. Not receiving a vitamin K shot is associated with risk of severe bleeding in newborns.