A midwife in New York, Jeanette Breen, has been fined $300,000 for administering homeopathic pellets instead of required vaccinations and falsifying immunization records for nearly 1,500 children. Operating Baldwin Midwifery on Long Island, Breen supplied patients with the “Real Immunity Homeoprophylaxis Program,” an alternative to vaccinations not recognized or approved by state or federal regulators. The scheme, which dates back at least to the 2019-2020 school year, involved families throughout the state, but the majority reside on suburban Long Island. The health department has voided the immunization records of the affected children, requiring families to prove that their students are up-to-date with required shots before returning to school.
The state health department emphasized that misrepresenting or falsifying vaccine records endangers lives and undermines public health. Jeanette Breen, a state-licensed healthcare provider, administered 12,449 of the fake immunizations to approximately 1,500 school-aged patients and submitted false information to the state’s immunization database, claiming the children received required vaccinations against various diseases. Breen’s fine is unprecedented, reflecting the severity of her actions. As part of the settlement, she has paid $150,000 of the $300,000 penalty, with the remainder suspended contingent upon her compliance with state health laws. Breen is permanently banned from accessing the state’s immunization records system.
Breen’s lawyer, David Eskew, stated that his client cooperated with investigators, paid her fine, and intends to comply with all other requirements. He emphasized that Breen has provided excellent midwifery services for many years, particularly on Long Island, and is now moving on with her life towards the end of her career. State health officials are in the process of notifying hundreds of affected school districts, and the case is regarded as a first-of-its-kind investigation against immunization fraud. The health department clarified that the investigation focused on Jeanette Breen and not the parents or legal guardians who sought and paid for her services.