NEW YORK (AIEXPRESS) – A midwife from Long Island has been fined $300,000 by the New York State Department of Health for fabricating immunization records for approximately 1,500 children, according to officials.
Jeanette Breen, the operator of Baldwin Midwifery, has been held accountable by the Department of Health’s Bureau of Investigations for violating the Immunization Registry Law.
In the 2019-2020 school year, Breen introduced parents to the “Real Immunity Homeoprophylaxis Program.” This program offered oral pellets as an alternative to vaccination, claiming to provide immunity. However, it is important to note that these pellets were not authorized by the FDA or approved by the CDC as immunizing agents.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Breen had conducted a total of 12,449 fraudulent immunizations. These included vaccinations such as DTaP or Tdap, hepatitis B, MMR, polio, varicella, MenACWY, HiB, and PCV. Breen also went on to submit falsified data to the New York State Immunization Information System.
A large number of children in New York State, particularly from Long Island, experienced the effects of the situation. State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa expressed serious concern over the actions of a licensed health care professional who deliberately falsified immunization records for students.
In doing so, not only did this individual put the health and safety of our school communities at risk, but they also eroded public trust. Breen has been permanently banned from administering vaccinations and accessing the NYSIIS system as part of the settlement.
According to the Health Department, Breen has already paid $150,000 of the $300,000 penalty. If she adheres to certain conditions, such as refraining from administering vaccines and avoiding any activities that involve misrepresenting vaccination records, the remaining fine will be suspended.
The Health Department has taken action by removing all inaccurate data provided by Breen. They are currently reaching out to parents of the children affected to notify them about the inaccuracy of their vaccination records.
About 300 affected schools are being notified to ensure that they comply with vaccination requirements. All affected children must now update their vaccinations in order to return to school, as stated.
According to Dr. James McDonald, the State Health Commissioner, misrepresenting or falsifying vaccine records not only puts lives at risk but also undermines the public health system’s protective measures.
Dr. McDonald emphasized the seriousness of this issue and stated that the New York State Department of Health will thoroughly investigate and utilize all enforcement tools available to take action against those found guilty of such violations.
