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New Mexico health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) as the winter holiday season approaches, when gatherings often lead to the spread of these infections.
“Getting vaccinated against these winter viruses is crucial to protect yourself and those around you,” stated Dr. Miranda Durham, Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health.
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that COVID-19 levels remain high in New Mexico, with “very high” amounts of the virus detected in sewer samples across the state. Public health officials no longer provide widespread diagnostic testing like they did earlier in the pandemic, leaving residents to rely on sewage data to understand the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.
New Mexico began sewage testing for COVID-19 in April 2022 but stopped offering free, community-wide diagnostic tests at the end of that year, drawing criticism from local advocates. As of December 9, only 12.4% of New Mexicans had received the updated COVID-19 vaccine designed to protect against newer variants. Vaccination rates were even lower among Black and Hispanic residents and those under 40.
The state health department is directing residents to an online database where they can find vaccine providers and vaccination events. Public health offices are also offering free vaccines for those without insurance. However, state offices will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day, though the health helpline will remain staffed during the holidays at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773).
In March 2023, New Mexico privatized COVID-19 vaccines and treatments as part of the end of the Biden administration’s official pandemic response. Despite this shift, COVID-19 continues to affect the state heavily. From September 2023 to December 7, 2023, COVID-19 hospitalization rates were six times higher than those for RSV and the flu combined. During this period, 436 people were hospitalized for COVID-19, while 69 were hospitalized for influenza and just three for RSV.
“COVID is not in the past tense,” said World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “It’s still with us, still causes acute illness and Long COVID, and it still kills.”
