Can you refuse the vitamin k shot in GA? Alternatives?!
Question:
Can you refuse the vitamin k shot in GA? Alternatives?
What are the alternatives to having the vitamin k shot? Are there supplements a breastfeeding mother can take if she doesn't eat alot of "dark leafy greens"? Or are there drops the baby can take instead? How can I find out what the laws are in GA concerning this specific shot?
The reason I am researching this is that I have read the insert for the vit k shot from Merck & Co. The first thing on it is a warning of severe reactions including fatalities following this shot.
Answers: You can always refuse a shot or any other treatment you don't want to take.
I would really suggest against any shots of vitamins because it is literally giving your body an overdose of said vitamins that slowly leaves your system... that's why most people feel like they have the flu the first few days after one of those shots. Even moreso, it's WORSE to take a shot of vitamins A, D, E, or K because those are fat-soluble vitamins and can build up in your system, whereas the other vitamins are water soluble and will be excreted if there is too much in your system. Getting too high of a dose of these can be toxic for many people.
If your doctor said you need more vitamin K in your diet and you don't want to eat the greens, I'd say to just take a vitamin K tablet/capsule. They are readily available in most stores that sell vitamins and are often cheap... just make sure you get one from a good quality company that can prove their quality.
Most infants do NOT need vitamin K unless a Pediatrician specifically says that the infant is deficient to a high degree.
As far as the laws, you should be able to call up your local courthouse and get more information about certain laws. Source(s):
I'm a Product Specialist for a vitamin company You have the right to refuse any and ALL shots. I know I have four children non of whom are vaccinated. You ONLY need vitK if you are circumcising. If you are considering circumcision please research before you do. Fatalities associated with vitamin k are related to it being giving intravenously (through an IV). Newborns are not given Vitamin K via IV but rather intramuscularly with a shot. Vitamin K is EXTREMELY important in blood clot formation. Newborns can not absorb vitamin K throught the GI tract therefore drops do not work. They are unable to start absorbing vitamin K for days to a week or so, leaving newborns at risk for bleeding (both externally and internally). As a nurse who cares for newborns, I have never witnessed any adverse reaction to the vitamin K shot. I would not refuse the shot, and in fact my daughter did received the injection.