Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
State health officials during a briefing last week urged residents to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine and announced new flu and RSV shots would be available from providers in the state.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the new COVID-19 booster last week that is safe and effective against new variants of the virus.
The CDC recommends everyone age six months and older to get the booster to protect against against serious illness from the disease this fall and winter.
Updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna were scheduled to arrive in New Mexico no later than this week, officials said.
Officials said the COVID-19 booster can be administered with a flu shot simultaneously.
They were somewhat less confident of administering the new RSV shot at the same time as well, but said residents in rural areas should get all three at once if access to a health provider is difficult.
State officials said the COVID vaccine registration website has been retired. However, the New Mexico Department of Health offers an interactive map at VaccineNM.org to find available appointments.
Those who need assistance with scheduling should call the DOH Call Center at 1-855-600-3453. Its hours are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COVID-19 vaccines remain available at no cost to most residents, with health insurance typically covering them in full.
Uninsured people can receive the COVID-19 booster free through a network of health centers, public health offices and participating pharmacies in the CDC's Bridge Access Program that ensures universal vaccine access.
The state reported an uptick in COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations in recent weeks, but still well below the peaks recorded during the pandemic.
Vickie Gutierrez, administrator of Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari, said the COVID-19 booster and RSV vaccines will be available at pharmacies but not at the hospital.
The hospital will host drive-through flu shot event from 8 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 14 at the Quay County Fairgrounds in Tucumcari and from 8 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 21 at its Logan clinic at 600 Gallegos St.
After that, flu shots will be available at both clinics by appointment.
Renee Hayoz, administrator at the Quay County Family Health Center in Tucumcari, said her clinic received flu shots, including high-dosage vaccines for elderly people, last week.
Hayoz said she anticipated starting to administer those shots in late September.
She said her clinic had no RSV vaccines in its supply. Hayoz said she also had received no information yet about supplies of new COVID-19 boosters.
The new flu shot also has been formulated so those with egg allergies can receive them.
Dr. Anna Duran of UNM Children’s Hospital said the new vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, can drop the occurrence of serious illness in children who contract it by 75%.
Also, the RSV shot is recommended for adults age 60 and older, especially those with diabetes, heart disease, COPD or in long-term care.