Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The New Mexico Department of Health is urging people age 65 and older to receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose for enhanced protection against severe effects from the virus.
The agency made the recommendation last week after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged such booster shots.
“Most COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations last year were among people 65 years and older,” Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer for NMDOH, said. “An additional vaccine dose can provide added protection that may have decreased over time for those at highest risk.”
Previous CDC recommendations ensured that people who were immunocompromised were eligible for additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines are available at healthcare providers and pharmacies throughout the state.
Anyone who needs assistance with scheduling or has questions should contact the NMDOH Help Line at 1-833-796-8773 (1-833-SWNURSE) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
Adults with insurance can schedule an appointment directly with their pharmacy or health provider.
According to the agency, Quay County Public Health Office in Tucumcari was offering vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccines remain accessible at no cost through private health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. Uninsured people can receive the COVID-19 vaccine free of charge through a network of health centers, public health offices and participating pharmacies in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program.
Those interested in accessing their vaccine history can do so at VaxViewNM.org. Support for login issues is available through the NMSIIS Help Desk at 1-833-882-6454 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Callers can leave a voicemail to receive a call back.
Data from the CDC indicate that adults aged 65 and older bear a disproportionate impact from COVID-19, with more than half of the hospitalizations occurring within this age group during the last quarter of 2023.
According to the Coronavirus Resource Center of Johns Hopkins University, New Mexico has seen more than 9,000 deaths from COVID-19 since early 2000.