A Webster nurse is being fined $55,000 by the New York State Department of Health for allegedly creating false vaccination records for more than 100 students across the state.  

The health department says Sandra Miceli, who operated Surviving Naturally, a "natural wellness center," allegedly falsified records for students, mostly in Monroe County, but as far away as New York City.  

As a result, the vaccine records for those students have been voided and they must be fully up-to-date or in the process of getting missing vaccinations before they can return to school.

“Falsifying school-aged children’s vaccine records endangers both the child and their peers, as vaccination is the best protection against preventable disease,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a statement. “Furthermore, this is an example of how the spread of vaccine misinformation undermines the entire system that exists to protect the public’s health. The New York State Department of Health will continue to investigate those who falsify vaccine records and use all available enforcement tools against those who have been found to have committed such violations.”

Investigators say Miceli allegedly falsely reported 546 vaccinations for 116 children who, at the time, were school-aged and younger. The alleged scheme began less than one month after the June 2019 elimination of non-medical exemptions for required school immunizations.

“Through its investigation, the Department of Health determined that Miceli has a long history of promoting misinformation about vaccines and vocally opposing immunization requirements," the health department said in a statement. “In posting anti-vaccination propaganda on social media, Miceli spread dangerous public-health falsehoods and sowed fear about vaccines at the same time that she claimed, as a licensed nurse, to be protecting public health by administering immunizations required for enrollment in schools and day cares."

According to the health department, the New York State Education Department can pursue charges of professional misconduct against Micheli. However, any professional disciplinary action by the SED is confidential by law. Officials say Miceli has paid $30,000 of the $55,000 monetary penalty as part of the settlement. The remaining fee is suspended, contingent upon Miceli achieving and maintaining full compliance with the Public Health Law and complying with several stipulations, including never again administering any immunization that must be reported to the state’s Immunization Information System.