LIEB BLOG

Legal Analysts

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Update! New York Criminalizes Falsifying Vaccination Records

Falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records, including vaccination cards, is officially a crime in New York State, effective December 22, 2021.


The new law amends §170.00 of the Penal Law to include vaccination cards as a written instrument. For a false vaccination card to be considered a written instrument the card must include either a government logo or something suggesting it was created by a government entity; it must suggest that the card was provided to a person by a vaccine provider; and must includes a date the person received the vaccine, the type of vaccine, and a lot number.


If someone violates the new law, they can be criminally charged with tampering with public records, offering a false instrument for filing, and issuing a false certificate. In addition, when someone intentionally alters, in any manner, or destroys computer material indicating that a person did or did not receive a vaccination against COVID-19, it shall be considered the crime of computer tampering.


With the new vaccination mandates in New York City now in effect, will the criminalization of falsifying vaccination cards deter people from obtaining fake vaccination cards. Comment below and let us know.