Investigation into Nurse’s Falsification of Vaccine Records Expands

The state’s Health Department is expanding its inquiry into former Amityville nurse practitioner Julie DeVuono, who is suspected of falsifying childhood vaccination records. They have issued subpoenas to over 100 additional schools and invalidated the vaccination proofs of 35 students.

According to Erin Clary, a spokesperson for the Health Department, most of these 105 schools are private and located in Long Island. These recent subpoenas, sent out in October, request records for vaccinations against diseases such as measles, polio, and whooping cough. This follows the state’s action in 2024, when nearly three-quarters of Long Island’s 124 public school districts—as well as various private schools and institutions in New York City—were subpoenaed. Such a wide-ranging effort has raised concerns among vaccine experts about potential fraud, as parents generally don’t travel far for standard vaccinations.

DeVuono pleaded guilty in 2023 to selling over $1.2 million in counterfeit COVID-19 vaccine cards via her practice, Wild Child Pediatrics.

In June 2024, the Health Department filed administrative charges against her, alleging similar infractions with childhood vaccination records. She may face significant fines, although the specifics of these charges have not been made public without a Freedom of Information Law request—a request that Newsday submitted over a year ago without receiving a comprehensive response.

Key Findings

• Investigation Expansion: New York is probing further into DeVuono’s alleged falsification of childhood vaccine records.
• Subpoenas Issued: In October, 105 schools, mainly private ones in Long Island, were subpoenaed for the vaccine records of DeVuono’s patients.
• Invalidation of Records: In December, the state invalidated the vaccine records of 35 students and previously invalidated 134 in September 2024.

The state has publicly acknowledged the invalidation of 169 children’s vaccination records—the latest 35 in December, following 134 from September 2024, most of whom were from Long Island. Parents have been informed that they need to secure valid vaccination proof from another provider for their children to continue attending school. The names of the schools or districts attended by these 35 students, as well as the total number of records believed to be falsified by DeVuono, remain undisclosed pending another Freedom of Information Act request submitted by Newsday on January 21.

While some experts express concern over the speed of the administrative case, Arthur Caplan, a vaccine fraud expert at New York University, supports the state’s intensified investigation, especially given the rising vaccine skepticism. Caplan emphasized the need to hold accountable those who endanger children by undermining vaccination efforts.

Issues of Vaccine Skepticism

Caplan pointed to the increase in measles cases among unvaccinated children and noted that recent statements from federal health officials suggesting vaccines could be optional—as disturbing as they are—underscore the necessity for strict adherence to immunization laws in New York. He considers the DeVuono case among the largest known instances of vaccine record falsification, although he acknowledges the true scale of fraud remains unclear.

Richard Carpiano, a public policy professor at the University of California, Riverside, called for prosecution if evidence of fraud is found, noting that vaccine mandates protect not just school-aged children but also the very young who aren’t old enough for vaccinations—particularly those under a year old for measles shots.

“There’s a reason for this law,” he stated, emphasizing that children under five are particularly vulnerable to severe illness from measles and other diseases.

While the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office has charged DeVuono in the COVID-19 fraud case, no charges have yet been filed concerning the childhood vaccine allegations. A spokesperson for the DA’s office did not comment on whether any investigations into childhood vaccine fraud are ongoing.

DeVuono, who refers to herself as a “justified felon” in her online biography, has not been available for comment. Her attorney for the administrative case has also not responded to requests.

Her criminal defense attorney indicated that she maintains her innocence regarding the childhood vaccine record accusations and noted that no parents have corroborated these allegations.

Clary indicated that the department does not share evidence from ongoing administrative cases. However, Carpiano mentioned that gathering proof of fraudulent practices is often complicated, as parents may not readily admit to seeking or acquiring false documentation. Investigative leads might come from former employees of the medical office, social media interactions, or tips received by the Health Department.

Many parents have filed lawsuits in federal and state courts to contest their children’s exclusion from school due to unmet vaccination requirements. However, these suits have mostly been dismissed.

In the ongoing administrative case, the state has conducted multiple hearings over several months, with Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald poised to deliver a final decision after receiving recommendations from an administrative law judge.

Impacted Students

The 35 students are prohibited from returning to school until they can provide new vaccination records. Schools do not notify the Health Department when these students re-enroll, leaving unclear how many have complied with vaccination requirements.

Caplan expressed that the lingering nature of the administrative proceedings indicates a need for more resources to advance investigations into vaccine fraud more efficiently.

“This should expedite,” he remarked, stating it’s vital to signal to medical providers that any form of falsification is unacceptable.

According to Clary, the department routinely audits immunization records in both public and private institutions to identify possible fraud and investigates leads through a dedicated email for reporting vaccine fraud.

The DeVuono case is intricately tied to challenges of aligning Wild Child patients with their respective schools, particularly private ones where enrollment data can be scant.

As Caplan advocates for broader investigations, John Gilmore, who leads the vaccine-concerned Autism Action Network, contends that the state’s response illustrates a heavy-handed approach to enforcing vaccine requirements in New York.

Even if evidence is eventually found against DeVuono, Gilmore argues that the notion of making vaccination a mandate is problematic. He believes parents should have the autonomy to decide on their children’s vaccinations, similar to other medical choices.

In New York, there are no non-medical exemptions for vaccinations, a fact highlighted by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

However, Caplan argues that parents refusing vaccinations can jeopardize not only their children but also those unable to receive vaccines due to medical conditions.

Having relinquished her New York nursing license amid her plea deal for the COVID-19 charges, DeVuono was reportedly operating as a “freelance” pediatric nurse practitioner in Pennsylvania, where records show she lacks a nursing license and hasn’t applied for one.

Dr. Sharon Nachman from Stony Brook Medicine mentioned a noticeable increase in the number of parents hesitant to vaccinate their children, with some placing more trust in online sources than medical professionals.

“Although still a minority, it’s definitely on the rise,” she noted, particularly among homeschooling families who are exempt from school vaccination mandates.