Health Scare in New York: 1,500 Children Receive Fake Vaccinations
In a shocking revelation, Jeanette Breen, a New York midwife, has been fined $300,000 for administering homeopathic pellets to nearly 1,500 children instead of the required vaccinations. This alarming discovery was made following an extensive investigation by the state's Department of Health, uncovering a scheme that put the health of thousands of children at risk.
Jan 19, 2024 | updated: 9:59 AM EST, January 24, 2024
Breen offered her patients a program named "Real Immunity Homeoprophylaxis Program," which used oral pellets claimed to be an alternative to traditional vaccines. However, these homeopathic pellets lacked authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and did not have the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approval. Her deceptive practices included entering about 12,500 counterfeit immunization records into the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) starting in 2019.
This case is particularly distressing as it commenced at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, shortly after New York eliminated non-medical exemptions for school immunizations. The immunizations falsified by Breen included critical vaccines such as DTaP/Tdap, hepatitis B, MMR, polio, and varicella, among others. These vaccines are mandatory for children attending daycare and schools in New York.
In response to these alarming revelations, the New York State Health Department has taken decisive action:
- Breen has been fined $300,000, with $150,000 already paid. The remainder of the penalty is contingent upon her future compliance with Public Health Law.
- She is permanently prohibited from administering any immunization that must be reported to NYSIIS and accessing the system.
- All false immunization information submitted by Breen has been deleted from NYSIIS.
- Approximately 300 affected schools and the parents/guardians of the children involved are being notified. These children must now receive all required vaccinations to comply with school health requirements.
This unprecedented case serves as a stern warning against immunization fraud. The New York State Health Department and other stakeholders continue to educate and support awareness and reporting of such fraudulent activities. Vaccination remains the most effective defense against preventable diseases, and the U.S. boasts one of the safest vaccine supplies in its history.
The Jeanette Breen case is a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to authorized and scientifically backed public health practices, especially regarding children's health and safety.
