A Nassau County midwife has been fined a staggering $300,000 for creating false immunization records for approximately 1,500 school-aged children across New York state. The scheme began in the 2019-2020 school year, shortly after non-medical exemptions for required school vaccinations were eliminated in June 2019. Jeannette Breen, a licensed midwife operating Baldwin Midwifery, provided children with homeopathic oral pellets instead of the necessary vaccinations and then falsified their immunization records.
These pellets, which were marketed as an alternative to vaccination, are not authorized by the FDA, approved by the CDC, or recognized by the Department of Health as a valid form of immunization. Breen administered these pellets as a substitute for vaccines against diseases such as diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, polio, and rubella.
The investigation revealed that Breen had administered 12,449 fake immunizations to around 1,500 school-aged patients, using this as a pretext to submit false information to the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS). The majority of the affected children were from Long Island, but the scheme encompassed children from various locations throughout the state. As a result of Breen’s actions, their immunization cards have been rendered invalid.
In response to this egregious misconduct, all affected children must now ensure they are fully up to date with all age-appropriate immunizations or be in the process of receiving their missing vaccinations before they can return to school. Breen has already paid $150,000 of the $300,000 fine imposed on her. Additionally, she is permanently excluded from accessing the New York State Immunization Information System and is prohibited from administering any vaccinations that must be reported to the system.
The remaining portion of the fine will be suspended if Breen complies with certain conditions, including refraining from administering immunizations and abstaining from any involvement in schemes or attempts to misrepresent immunization records. The New York State Education Department, which licenses midwives, also has the authority to pursue charges of professional misconduct against Breen’s license.
State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa expressed her concern over the intentional falsification of immunization records, emphasizing that it not only endangers the health and safety of school communities but also undermines public trust. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald echoed these sentiments, stating that misrepresenting and falsifying vaccine records puts lives at risk.
The New York State Department of Health is determined to take this issue seriously and will utilize all available enforcement tools to hold those responsible for such violations accountable. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining accurate immunization records and the potential consequences of fraudulent practices in the healthcare system.
