ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Just in time for back-to-school season, the immunization records for about 135 New York students got nuked on Monday. And, according to the New York State Department of Health (DOH), the agency responsible for voiding those records, those kids must be immunized to stay in school.
For schools, staying in line with state enrollment requirements means that any student who is not fully vaccinated has to start getting their missing shots within two weeks of the new school year. DOH removed the pediatric immunization records for the kids, all school-aged or younger because the nurse practitioner who filed those records—Julie DeVuono, 51, previously of Amityville—compromised them.
Vaccinations included:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus toxoid-containing and pertussis vaccination (DTaP or Tdap)
- Hepatitis B
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (Chickenpox) (MMRV)
- Polio
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY and MCV4)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate (HiB)
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)
Except for severe medical conditions, the state requires all but one of these immunizations to enroll in daycare and prekindergarten. Tdap is not required until sixth grade.
DOH said that families of kids who got vaccinated by DeVuono—operating the scheme through the business Wild Child Pediatrics—should start the vaccination process now to minimize disruptions at school. Most of the 135 children live on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley, DOH said, with families in New York City and the Capital District likely affected, too.
DeVuono reported hundreds of phantom vaccinations as complete in the state’s immunization system that were never actually given, per DOH. Their ongoing investigation already turned up over 1,500 falsified pediatric vaccinations. She faces up to $2,000 in fines per fake entry at a hearing scheduled for November 19.
The DOH investigation could reveal more fake vaccination records. They’re working local health providers and schools to raise awareness about recognizing false vaccine records. DOH also said that they notified pediatric health care providers and school districts about Wild Child Pediatrics over the summer.
Police arrested DeVuono in January 2022 for separate COVID-19 vaccine fraud. In that case, the Office of the Inspector General referred 12 employees of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority—which operates public transit throughout New York City, Long Island, and the lower Hudson Valley—for disciplinary action. One was fired and the other 11 suspended for anywhere from 60 to 120 days.
For her part—which included money laundering and opioid prescription for people who were not her patients, as well as forgery—DeVuono also cannot practice medicine in New York. She pleaded guilty to those charges in September 2023, losing her nursing licenses, her business, and over $1.2 million for crimes related to fake COVID-19 cards.
Announcing the purge of vaccination records, DOH included a statement from Dr. Debra Blog, DOH Division of Vaccine Excellence Medical Director. She said in part, “Vaccinations are safe and effective at preventing many diseases and are vital to protecting public health, especially in school settings.”
Report vaccine fraud by calling (833) VAX-SCAM or sending an email to DOH.
