All articles tagged with #new york state department of health
A former Amityville pediatric nurse was fined $544,000—the largest civil penalty in New York State Department of Health history—for submitting hundreds of falsified vaccination records for 162 students, including COVID-19 and other vaccines. Prosecutors say she forged records to launder funds used to pay her mortgage; she surrendered her nursing license, is on five years of probation, and must forfeit about $1.2 million.
The New York State Department of Health has confirmed the first case of measles outside of New York City this year, involving an unvaccinated child on Long Island. Health officials are urging people to ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations, particularly the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles is highly contagious and can cause symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive rash. Individuals who may have been exposed to or have symptoms consistent with measles are advised to seek guidance from their healthcare provider or local clinic.
The New York State Department of Health is investigating whether Wild Child Pediatric Healthcare, an Amityville pediatric practice whose owner was convicted of falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records, also faked certificates of immunization against diseases like measles. The investigation comes after the Nassau and Suffolk health departments advised school districts to require children with vaccination records from Wild Child to obtain proof of vaccination from a different healthcare provider. While the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office found no evidence of fake non-COVID immunization cards, some school districts are facing legal challenges for requiring additional proof of vaccination. The investigation is ongoing, and the owner of Wild Child is scheduled for sentencing in January.
Vassar Brothers Medical Center and Putnam Hospital, both part of Nuvance Health, are reinstating the mandatory mask policy due to the observation of a new strain of COVID-19 by the New York State Department of Health. Employees at Vassar Brothers Medical Center were informed of the change, and patients are now required to wear masks or approved facial coverings during their visits.
Mosquitoes in Onondaga and Oswego County in Central New York have tested positive for harmful viruses, including West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV). West Nile Virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the U.S., while EEEV is rare but more dangerous, with a higher fatality rate. The New York State Department of Health advises taking precautions such as wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites.