It is routine in South Africa, and many other countries, to inject a newborn with a jab of Vitamin K.  In my research prior to having Micah, I became convinced that vaccinations could cause more harm than good.  I covered all the standard schedule vaccines, but somewhere along the line, I never did factor in Vit K.  In fact, I forgot all about that injection, until I had just given birth to Micah and had to make a decision in the labour room.  My midwife felt it was good decision (I love my midwife and she’s always been balanced and transparent about vaccines) and Craig felt so too.  So, Micah got a jab.  His first and last. 

I’ve not thought much about it since.  Until Dr Tenpenny’s site referred me to this website Daily Med, a government website with current medical information.  Amongst other things, it contains comprehensive information about vaccines.  It also happens to have a full report on the Vit K jab.

The package insert states the following for newborns:

Prophylaxis of Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that vitamin K1 be given to the newborn. A single intramuscular dose of Vitamin K1 Injection 0.5 to 1 mg within one hour of birth is recommended.

But, after reading the rest of the Vit K drug label, I really wished that we hadn’t given Micah this jab. Aside from the fact that Hemorrhagic disease is extremely rare, the drug label contains advice that seems contradictory to the administration requirements.  Basically, the insert says "inject this into newborns INTRAMUSCULARLY within an hour of birth."  (It’s a purely preventative step, since one cannot determine whether the child has that disease in that short space of time.)  But, the package insert is headed with a large print, blocked off warning that warn of death – particularly when the drug has been administered INTRAMUSCULARLY.  Hello?????????

It doesn’t end there.  The adverse effects and warnings include (I’ve highlighted some noteworthy statements)

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Studies of carcinogenicity, mutagenesis or impairment of fertility have not been conducted with Vitamin K1 Injection (Phytonadione Injectable Emulsion, USP).

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C: Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Vitamin K1 Injection. It is also not known whether Vitamin K1Injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Vitamin K1 Injection should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. (why, if a pregnant woman should only get Vit K injected if clearly needed, when the effects on the fetus is unknown, why is it okay to inject directly into a few minutes old newborn?)

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when Vitamin K1 Injection is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

Hemolysis, jaundice, and hyperbilirubinemia in neonates, particularly those that are premature, may be related to the dose of Vitamin K1 Injection. Therefore, the recommended dose should not be exceeded (see ADVERSE REACTIONS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

WARNING: This product contains aluminum that may be toxic. Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration if kidney function is impaired. Premature neonates are particularly at risk because their kidneys are immature, and they required large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which contain aluminum.

My biggest concern about vaccinations is that they’re preventative measures.  We’re required to inject our kids with known toxins and carcinogens as a preventative measure for something they may never encounter, never mind actually get – something that 95% of the time runs its course with little to no after effects (aside from lifetime immunity, of course).  I completely get the idea that sometimes we use known poisons to fight an existing and potentially fatal illness.  That I understand – if the odds are "dead if I don’t" then suddenly the not-necessarily lethal poison in the drug used to fight the disease seems like a reasonable risk.  But, when the odds are "well, you may be exposed to some illness, that you may catch, that you may have a horrible case of it, that you may suffer ill effects thereafter or may possibly die, if you get it in the first place", I don’t know if the risk is worth it. 

That’s my take.  And, as always, I’m not saying that every parent who reads this post and yet decides to vaccinate is wrong, idiotic or unloving.  I’m just saying that the drug itself is suspect as far as I understand it and I a) am not willing to support it and b) wish more people knew about it in order to be able to make a more informed decision.  You may read this and still vaccinate your children because you believe that is the right thing to do.  And that is your right and responsibility as the parent: to do what you think is in the best interests of your child.

You can read more on the subject over at Daily Med or click on the links below.

Drug Label Sections

• Description
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Indications & Usage
• Contraindications
• Warnings
• Precautions
• Adverse Reactions
• Overdosage
• Dosage & Administration
• How Supplied
• Patient Counseling Information
• Supplemental Patient Material
• Boxed Warning