Ex-New York nurse hit with record fine over fake child vaccine records

Former New York pediatric nurse practitioner has been ordered to pay a record-breaking $544,000 civil penalty after authorities found she falsified vaccination records for 162 school-aged children, the New York State Department of Health announced.

People reported that Julie DeVuono, 53, of Amityville, received the penalty on Thursday after the Department of Health determined she submitted hundreds of fraudulent vaccination records for children who never received the vaccines.

The agency said the $544,000 penalty is the largest civil fine issued in its 125-year history.

"Vaccines are the best protection against serious preventable diseases, and the New York State Department of Health has zero tolerance for those that misrepresent or falsify vaccination records as these acts put lives in jeopardy," State Health Commissioner Dr James McDonald said.

"Make no mistake, the Department will investigate and hold those accountable who so brazenly undermine our public health system and endanger the health and safety of our communities," he added.

Authorities say records covered COVID-19 and routine childhood vaccines

According to the Department of Health, DeVuono fraudulently entered records for COVID-19 vaccinations as well as several routine childhood immunisations, including vaccines for chickenpox, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B and polio.

The scheme affected children across New York, although officials said most of the falsified records involved families from Long Island and the Hudson Valley. Families were later contacted and required to provide valid proof of vaccination before their children could return to school. They were also instructed not to list DeVuono as their healthcare provider.

Nurse previously pleaded guilty to fraud-related charges

DeVuono was sentenced in 2024 after pleading guilty in September 2023 to money laundering, forgery and offering a false instrument for filing.

Prosecutors said she sold fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards for between $220 and $350 each while also entering false information into the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS). Authorities alleged she used proceeds from the scheme to cover personal expenses, including paying off the mortgage on her Amityville home.

In addition to the record civil fine, DeVuono surrendered her nursing licence, forfeited $1.2 million linked to the scheme and is serving a five-year probation sentence.

The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said the fraudulent activity took place between June 15, 2021, and January 27, 2022.

PEOPLE reported that it contacted DeVuono's attorneys for comment but did not receive an immediate response.