She said recent actions by the Department of Health and Human Services have created “pure confusion” for parents, heightening distrust of the medical community. A spokesman for HHS said it “rejects” the premise that vaccine policy has had any impact on the use of newborn treatments such as vitamin K and erythromycin eye ointment. “Babies aren’t born with enough vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting… it is used up in pregnancy and it doesn’t cross the placenta very well,” Clouser said. Pediatricians emphasized that parents should ask questions and understand the health benefits of vaccines and other preventive care. “We encourage all parents to come in and talk,” said Dr. Michael Glazier, a pediatrician in Jacksonville, Florida.