Student vaccines are essential

For decades, New York State has required children to be vaccinated to attend school. Essential to public health, mandates for childhood vaccinations against diseases like measles and polio are critical for maintaining children's health and especially for protecting kids who are immunocompromised and cannot be vaccinated.

The dangers of not vaccinating — a movement that has recently grown — are clear. The number of whooping cough cases in the U.S. more than quadrupled since last year. And measles cases continue to rise, with 262 reported in the U.S. this year. 

That's why the investigation into nurse practitioner Julie DeVuono and her Wild Child Pediatric Healthcare practice is so concerning — and why efforts to prevent a full accounting of the impact of her actions must be stopped. DeVuono has admitted selling more than $1.2 million worth of fake COVID-19 vaccine cards. But the state Health Department said she also falsified vaccine records of 133 children on Long Island — records the department has since voided. The investigation subpoenaed records of 750 children in more than 100 school districts.

Some parents in districts from Glen Cove to East Northport are fighting those subpoenas. So far, one judge denied an attempt to quash a subpoena, while others issued temporary orders pending review. DeVuono, through an attorney, said she never falsified childhood vaccinations. But the state's investigation must not be impeded, so Long Islanders can understand the scope of the deception and know whether children in their school districts are going to school unvaccinated.

The number of children whose vaccination records are under investigation is relatively small. Vaccinated children — and those who are immunocompromised — remain safe and protected. But any attempt to falsify records and flout public health law with complete disregard for other children and families, must be treated seriously.

The DeVuono case sheds light on the need for the Health Department to maintain complete records when it comes to childhood vaccination, to follow up on concerns about potential fraud, and to work closely with school districts, the initial offices tasked with making sure students are vaccinated. The Health Department and state lawmakers should assess how the state handles childhood vaccine enforcement and whether changes to the law are needed.

DeVuono is the exception rather than the rule. Most physicians are providing schools and the state with accurate vaccination records. Most parents are fully vaccinating their children. But as anti-vaccine sentiment has grown, and as those who previously used a religious exemption are no longer allowed to do so, a void has emerged that allows some parents and medical practitioners to abuse the system.

That can't be allowed to happen. Protecting the region's children against diseases that should be long gone remains a critical public health effort. For decades, those efforts have succeeded and kept children safe. We can't let up.