Last Updated on August 30, 2023 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post claims that Vitamin K injections are poisonous to babies because of the presence of polysorbate 80 and aluminum in different types of salts. We fact-checked and found this claim to be False.
The Claim
A video shared on Facebook titled, “What’s in the vitamin K shot they give to newborns……..they have poisoning our babies for decades.” shares a woman stating, “The main active ingredient is polysorbate 80, and that is … There are strong links to infertility, to autoimmune issues. Polysorbate 80 is banned in a lot of countries, especially in injectables. And that’s the main active ingredient in one of the vitamin K solutions. And the other one — on the vial, it says — contains no more than 100 milligrams per liter, micrograms per liter, of aluminum.”
Fact Check
What is Vitamin K?
Vitamin K is a group of fat-soluble vitamins that are essential for blood clotting and bone health. A deficiency of Vitamin K can hamper the blood’s ability to coagulate, leading to an increased risk of bleeding disorders and other problems such as poor bone development, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases can also occur. There are two main types of vitamin K: phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and menaquinone (vitamin K2).
It is obtained through dietary sources, and in some cases, it can be synthesized by the body’s gut bacteria. Deficiency in vitamin K is rare but can lead to bleeding disorders, which is particularly concerning for newborns, as their initial vitamin K stores are limited.
Why is Vitamin K vaccination essential for babies?
It is crucial to administer vitamin K vaccinations to newborns in order to prevent a condition known as Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). VKDB is a serious condition caused by scant levels of vitamin K, in babies. At the time of birth, Vitamin K does not cross the placenta to the developing baby, and the gut does not have any bacteria to make vitamin K before birth. If left untreated VKDB can result in life-threatening bleeding, including bleeding in the brain and even death. To mitigate this risk vitamin K injections are administered to provide the clotting factors. Breastfed babies are particularly susceptible due to the low vitamin K content in breast milk. Based on research, medical organizations worldwide recommend supplementing newborns, with vitamin K to ensure blood clotting and protect against the severe consequences of VKDB.
Are Vitamin K injections poisonous due to the presence of polysorbate 80 and aluminum?
No, vitamin K injections are not poisonous due to the presence of polysorbate 80 and aluminum. Both polysorbate 80 and aluminum have been safely used in medical products for many years. Let’s understand the role of these one by one.
Polysorbate 80: It is an emulsifier commonly used in pharmaceuticals and foods. It helps solubilize certain substances and improve their absorption. While there have been some concerns raised about the use of polysorbate 80, it is generally considered safe for use in small amounts. Various regulatory agencies have assessed its safety and approved its use within established limits. According to Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations published on the Food and Drug Administration website, polysorbate 80 is safe to use in foods if the producer follows the manufacturing rules and does not exceed the recommended amounts.
Aluminum: Some vitamin K injections for newborns may contain small amounts of aluminum, which is used as an adjuvant to enhance the body’s immune response to the vaccine. Aluminum salts have been used in vaccines for decades and have been extensively studied. The levels of aluminum in vaccines are well below the safety limits established by health authorities. A Wise Health System handout says any aluminum that ends up in vitamin K shots is incidental from manufacturing and capped out at no more than 0.05 micrograms per dose. That is less than half of the concentration of aluminum found in baby formula.
It’s important to note that the ingredients used in vaccines, including vitamin K injections, undergo rigorous testing for safety before they are approved for use. Regulatory agencies, such as the FDA and the World Health Organization (WHO), closely monitor the safety of vaccine ingredients.
In conclusion, the benefits of vitamin K injections outweigh the risks of the ingredients. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and bone health. It is especially important for newborns, as they are born with low levels of vitamin K. Vitamin K injections can help to prevent serious bleeding problems in newborns. If you are concerned about the ingredients in vitamin K injections, talk to your doctor. They can help you decide if the benefits outweigh the risks.
There are several myths that spread around the world regarding vaccination. THIP Media has also fact-checked a myth that stated that vaccines alter the DNA of babies, causing sex identity issues and food allergies.
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