Over the past few months, many New York parents have opened their mail or checked their school portals to a shock: notices that their child’s vaccine records may be invalid. The situation, tied to an expanding investigation into former Amityville nurse practitioner Julie DeVuono, has now led the New York State Department of Health to invalidate 169 children’s immunization records and subpoena more than 100 additional schools and school districts as of early 2026. If you’re feeling confused, anxious, or even angry, you are far from alone.

This page walks you through what’s known so far, why the state is taking these steps, what it means for school vaccine requirements, and practical next moves if your family is affected. The focus here is on clarity, safety, and realistic options—not fear.

Health department official reviewing student vaccination records
State health officials have expanded subpoenas to over 100 schools as they review potentially falsified student vaccination records.

What Is Happening in the Julie DeVuono Vaccine Record Case?

New York State is investigating whether Julie DeVuono, a former nurse practitioner in Amityville, allegedly falsified childhood vaccine records and COVID-related documentation. Earlier reports focused on improper COVID vaccine cards for adults; the current expansion specifically centers on childhood immunization records submitted to schools.

According to state health disclosures up to February 2026, officials have:

  • Invalidated the vaccine documentation of at least 169 children associated with the practice.
  • Subpoenaed over 100 schools and districts to obtain student immunization records and related paperwork.
  • Alerted local health departments to monitor for clusters of un- or under-immunized children who may have believed they were fully vaccinated.
“When there is credible evidence that immunization records may be falsified, we have an obligation to act quickly to protect both individual children and the broader school community.” — Representative, New York State Department of Health (statement summarized from public communications)

While the legal process is still unfolding, the state is treating any record tied to the investigation as potentially unreliable unless independent proof of vaccination can be verified.


Why Falsified Vaccine Records Are So Serious

On the surface, vaccine record issues might seem like “just paperwork.” In reality, false documentation has two big impacts:

  1. Individual risk: A child whose record says they’re protected against measles, polio, or whooping cough—but who never actually got the shot—is more vulnerable to serious illness.
  2. Community risk: Schools depend on high immunization rates to prevent outbreaks. Falsified records make it appear that herd immunity is higher than it really is.

New York has experienced this firsthand. The state has dealt with measles outbreaks in recent years, largely in under-vaccinated communities. When health authorities see a cluster of possibly unprotected children, they move quickly to reduce the chance of another outbreak.


How This Affects Parents, Students, and Schools

If your child’s records are part of the investigation, you may feel blindsided—especially if you trusted that vaccines were given as documented. Parents are reporting feelings of betrayal, fear about their child’s health, and worries about school exclusion.

Under New York law, students are required to have up-to-date vaccines for school attendance, unless they qualify for a valid medical exemption. Religious exemptions to vaccination were eliminated in 2019. When records are invalidated, schools must treat those students as not fully immunized until proof is established.

Parent talking with a school administrator about student health records
School nurses and administrators are working directly with families to clarify immunization status and avoid unnecessary disruptions.

Practically, this can lead to:

  • Requests from schools for additional documentation or pediatrician records.
  • Deadlines to start or complete missing vaccine doses.
  • Temporary exclusion from school in some cases, particularly during an outbreak.
A Long Island pediatrician I spoke with described one family whose teen believed she was fully vaccinated. When records tied to the case were questioned, it turned out she had missed multiple critical doses. They rapidly started a catch-up schedule, and the teen is now on track to be fully protected.

Step-by-Step: How to Check If Your Child’s Vaccine Records Are Affected

Not every family seen by the practice will have falsified records, and not every child’s file is under review. Here’s a structured way to find out where you stand:

  1. Check all communications. Review emails, portal messages, and physical letters from:
    • Your child’s school or district
    • Your local health department
    • New York State Department of Health
  2. Contact the school nurse or health office. Ask directly:
    • “Are my child’s vaccine records under review related to the Julie DeVuono investigation?”
    • “Is there any documentation the school is questioning?”
  3. Request your child’s full immunization record. Get copies from:
    • Your child’s pediatrician or previous pediatric practices
    • The New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS), usually accessed through your provider
  4. Compare records. Check that:
    • Dates of vaccines in the school file match your pediatrician’s records.
    • Vaccine types (e.g., MMR, DTaP, polio) align across sources.
  5. Ask your pediatrician for clinical notes. If vaccines were documented only by the investigated practice, ask:
    • “Do you have administration records or lot numbers showing these vaccines were actually given?”
    • “If these can’t be verified, what is your recommendation?”

What to Do If Your Child’s Vaccination Proof Is Invalidated

If you receive confirmation that your child’s immunization record is considered invalid or incomplete, you still have options. The specific plan depends on your child’s age, health status, and which vaccines are missing or uncertain.

1. Schedule a prompt visit with a trusted provider

Book an appointment with your child’s pediatrician or a reputable clinic. Bring:

  • All existing vaccine cards or printouts
  • The school or state letter you received
  • Any notes from previous providers

2. Discuss a catch-up vaccination schedule

The CDC publishes detailed catch-up immunization schedules for children and teens who are behind or whose records are uncertain. Providers in New York use these to design a safe plan. In many cases, repeating vaccines is medically acceptable if there’s doubt they were given, though there are limits for some products.

Evidence-based guidance: CDC Catch-Up Immunization Schedule

3. Clarify school deadlines and temporary accommodations

Ask the school:

  • How long you have to start and complete needed doses.
  • Whether your child can attend while “in progress” with a documented catch-up plan.
  • What happens if there is an outbreak of a disease like measles or pertussis.

4. Keep your own organized record going forward

Create a dedicated folder (physical or digital) with:

  • Original immunization cards
  • Printouts from your pediatrician’s electronic health record
  • Any letters from the health department or school
Pediatrician administering a vaccine to a child in a clinic
For many families affected by invalid records, a clear catch-up vaccination plan helps restore both protection and peace of mind.

Common Obstacles (and How to Navigate Them)

In real life, catching up on vaccines isn’t just a medical decision—it bumps into work schedules, transportation, trust, and sometimes fear. Here are some frequent barriers families are reporting, with realistic ways to handle them.

1. “I feel betrayed and don’t know who to trust.”

Having placed your child’s care in someone’s hands only to later question what actually happened can be deeply unsettling. It’s completely valid to feel hurt or angry.

  • Ask friends or family for pediatrician recommendations with strong communication skills.
  • In your first visit, be transparent: “Our family was affected by the DeVuono case. I’m feeling very cautious. Can you walk me through each step?”
  • A good clinician will respect these concerns and welcome your questions.

2. Financial or insurance concerns

Many routine childhood vaccines are covered without cost-sharing under most insurance plans. For children who are uninsured or underinsured, New York participates in federal and state programs that provide vaccines at low or no cost.

3. Logistical challenges (time, transportation, childcare)

Ask clinics about:

  • Evening or weekend vaccine-only appointments.
  • Walk-in hours at local health department clinics.
  • Community-based events (e.g., school-based vaccine clinics).

4. Fear of vaccine reactions

Mild side effects like soreness, low-grade fever, or fatigue are relatively common and short-lived. Serious adverse events are rare and are carefully monitored by systems like the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

Discuss your child’s specific risk factors with a clinician, especially if they have a history of severe allergies or immune system conditions. Evidence-based information, not social media rumors, should guide the plan.


What Schools and Districts Are Being Asked to Do

The subpoenas issued to more than 100 schools and districts are part of the state’s effort to map the full extent of potentially falsified records. For school administrators and nurses, this adds a significant compliance and communication workload.

Typical responsibilities now include:

  • Providing requested student immunization files to state investigators.
  • Reviewing which records are linked to the investigated practice.
  • Contacting families whose documentation is in question.
  • Coordinating with local health departments on any necessary exclusions during disease outbreaks.
School nurses are at the front lines of verifying immunization status and guiding families through updated requirements.

Allegations of falsified medical records raise both legal and ethical questions:

  • For clinicians: Intentionally misrepresenting vaccinations can lead to professional discipline, loss of license, fines, and even criminal charges under fraud and public health laws.
  • For parents: Some may have been misled into believing shots were given. Others may have knowingly sought false documentation. The law treats those situations differently.
  • For schools: There is a duty to comply with subpoenas and protect student privacy under FERPA and relevant state laws.
Ethically, the central issue is trust. Public health systems only work when families can assume that what’s written in the chart reflects what really happened in the exam room.

If you believe you were intentionally misled, you may wish to consult:

  • A medical malpractice or health law attorney for individualized legal advice.
  • The New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct or the Office of the Professions to file a complaint.

The Science Behind School Vaccination Requirements

New York’s school immunization rules are grounded in decades of research on vaccine-preventable diseases. Evidence from multiple peer-reviewed studies shows that:

  • States with stricter school vaccination policies have fewer outbreaks of measles and other preventable illnesses.
  • High vaccination coverage protects vulnerable students who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
  • When coverage drops—even in small pockets—outbreaks can spread rapidly in schools and surrounding communities.

Representative research and policy resources:

Infographic-style chart showing vaccination schedule on a clipboard
Visual schedules and checklists can help families keep track of required and catch-up vaccinations over time.

Quick Checklist: If You’re in New York and Worried About Your Child’s Records

Here’s a condensed action plan you can reference or share with other parents:

  1. Review all letters or emails from your child’s school and the health department.
  2. Call the school nurse to ask if your child’s records are under review.
  3. Obtain full immunization records from your pediatrician and compare dates.
  4. Schedule a medical visit to confirm which vaccines were definitely given.
  5. Start a catch-up schedule if any vaccines are missing or uncertain.
  6. Ask the school about deadlines and whether attendance can continue during catch-up.
  7. Organize all documents in a folder or secure digital file for future reference.

Moving Forward: Protecting Your Child and Rebuilding Trust

The expanding investigation into Julie DeVuono’s practice, the invalidation of 169 children’s immunization records, and the subpoenas served to more than 100 New York schools have created real stress for families. At the same time, they represent a system trying to correct itself—making sure that what’s on paper reflects what actually happened.

If your family is caught in the middle, your most powerful steps are simple but meaningful: verify, document, and, if needed, catch up. None of that erases the frustration or worry, but it does put you back in control of your child’s health decisions.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. School nurses, pediatricians, and local health departments are used to helping families through vaccine questions and paperwork tangles. Reaching out early—before deadlines hit—can prevent last-minute scrambles or unexpected exclusions from school.

Your next step today:

  • If you’ve received a notice, put a reminder in your calendar to call your child’s school nurse within the next 24–48 hours.
  • If you haven’t heard anything but used the implicated practice, schedule a time this week to request and review your child’s immunization records.

Taking these actions won’t just satisfy a bureaucratic requirement—it helps ensure your child is genuinely protected, and that New York’s schools remain safe, healthy places for every student.