In a significant health scandal, Jeanette Breen, a New York midwife, has been fined $300,000 for providing nearly 1,500 children with homeopathic pellets instead of mandated vaccinations. The scheme, spanning the 2019-2020 school year, involved falsifying immunization records, impacting families across the state. The midwife, operating Baldwin Midwifery on Long Island, administered unapproved oral pellets, claiming them as an alternative to vaccines. The health department voided the falsified records, requiring affected families to prove vaccination compliance for their children. Breen, a state-licensed healthcare provider, has paid $150,000 of the fine, with the remaining sum suspended under conditions of continued compliance with health laws.
The New York State Health Department has unveiled a disturbing case involving Jeanette Breen, a licensed midwife who, over the 2019-2020 school year, administered homeopathic pellets instead of required vaccinations to nearly 1,500 children. This unethical practice was further compounded by the falsification of immunization records, impacting families throughout the state but primarily on suburban Long Island. Breen’s use of the “Real Immunity Homeoprophylaxis Program,” unapproved by regulators, has raised serious concerns about public health. In 2019, New York eliminated religious exemptions for schoolchildren’s vaccinations. The consequences include voided records, forcing affected families to validate their children’s immunization status for school re-entry.
The New York State Health Department revealed that Breen, a licensed healthcare provider, distributed the “Real Immunity Homeoprophylaxis Program,” a series of oral pellets marketed as an alternative to vaccinations. However, these pellets lack recognition or approval from state or federal regulators as valid immunizations. The scheme involved administering 12,449 fake immunizations for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, chickenpox, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and others. Subsequently, Breen submitted false information to the state’s immunization database, indicating that the children had received the required vaccinations.
In response to this misconduct, the health department voided the immunization records of the affected children. As a consequence, their families are now required to demonstrate that the students are either up-to-date with their vaccinations or in the process of receiving them before they can return to school.
State Health Commissioner James McDonald expressed the severity of the situation, stating, “Misrepresenting or falsifying vaccine records puts lives in jeopardy and undermines the system that exists to protect public health.” This incident has prompted health officials to emphasize the importance of maintaining the integrity of vaccination records to safeguard public health.
Breen’s legal representative, David Eskew, reported that his client has cooperated with investigators, paid the $300,000 fine, and intends to fulfill all other requirements outlined in her agreement with health officials. Eskew acknowledged Breen’s long-standing career providing midwifery services to numerous families, especially on Long Island, and emphasized that she is now moving forward with her life.
As part of the settlement, Breen has paid $150,000 of the imposed penalty, with the remaining $150,000 suspended, contingent upon her continued compliance with state health laws. Importantly, she is permanently banned from accessing the state’s immunization records system and is prohibited from administering any immunizations that must be reported to the state in the future.
While parents and legal guardians sought and paid for Breen’s services, the focus of the health department’s investigation was on Breen’s actions. The agency is now in the process of notifying the affected school districts, ensuring that they are aware of the situation and can take appropriate measures.
The case of Jeanette Breen serves as a stark warning about the consequences of subverting vaccination protocols. State Health Commissioner James McDonald rightly emphasizes the danger of misrepresenting or falsifying vaccine records, citing potential threats to public health. The $300,000 fine levied against Breen, with a portion suspended pending her continued compliance, reflects the gravity of her actions. Breen’s cooperation and payment indicate a degree of accountability, yet the incident underscores the imperative to protect the integrity of immunization records. This scandal necessitates heightened vigilance in safeguarding public health measures, ensuring trust in vaccination systems, and preventing the recurrence of such deceptive practices.
