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New Mexico public health order expands access for COVID-19 vaccine

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, September 2nd 2025 at 23:03 GMT by KOAT Albuquerque
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New Mexico Issues Broad COVID‑Vaccine Access Order to Boost Immunization Rates

By [Your Name] – Research Journalist

In a move designed to make COVID‑19 vaccination easier and more accessible for all residents, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDH) today signed a sweeping health order that expands the availability of vaccines across the state. The order, which takes effect immediately, obligates local health departments, pharmacies, community organizations, and even some businesses to provide COVID‑19 shots on a variety of platforms—including drive‑through sites, mobile vans, and school‑based clinics. According to the NMDH, the order represents the most comprehensive effort in New Mexico’s pandemic response to date, and it follows a steep decline in vaccination rates that began last year.

The order is the culmination of a multi‑month discussion that started in late February when the governor’s office and the NMDH realized that the state’s vaccine coverage was no longer keeping pace with the pandemic’s demands. In a press release posted on the NMDH website, Dr. Emily Ruiz, the state’s Deputy Health Commissioner, described the measure as “an aggressive but necessary step to protect our communities and close the inequity gap that has plagued rural and underserved areas.”

Key Provisions of the Health Order

1. Expanded Distribution Sites
   The order authorizes local health departments to operate vaccination sites in a broader array of settings, including grocery stores, faith‑based centers, senior‑living communities, and even certain large employers. Health officials point out that “every location with a high concentration of at-risk individuals becomes a potential vaccination hub,” a move that could help fill the current coverage gaps among people in remote parts of the state.

2. Drive‑Through and Mobile Vaccination Vans
   Drive‑through clinics—previously limited to the state capital and a handful of metropolitan areas—are now open to all counties. The order includes a funding provision that will allow 15 new mobile vans to operate in rural regions such as San Juan, Guadalupe, and Otero. “These vans are a critical tool to reach people who cannot travel to a clinic or who live near the edge of a county line,” said Ruiz.

3. School‑Based Vaccination Clinics
   The order permits public and private K‑12 schools to host vaccination clinics on their premises. While the state will provide the vaccine supplies, the schools will partner with local health departments to ensure proper storage and administration. The NMDH cites a pilot program in Albuquerque that vaccinated 1,200 students in a single weekend, noting that “schools can be the fastest way to get children and adolescents vaccinated.”

4. Flexible Appointment Systems
   Local health departments are now required to offer no‑appointment “walk‑in” vaccination for adults and children over the age of 12, while keeping a reservation system available for those who prefer a scheduled visit. The order also allows pharmacies to dispense vaccines without a prescription, subject to the usual federal guidelines.

5. Data Transparency and Reporting
   The order includes a clause requiring that all vaccination sites submit real‑time data on the number of doses administered and the demographic breakdown of recipients to the state’s COVID‑Vaccine Dashboard. The NMDH will update the dashboard daily, offering a public view of progress at the county level.

Support and Concerns

The new order has garnered broad support from public health experts. Dr. Lisa Mendoza, an epidemiologist at the University of New Mexico, praised the order for “cutting through bureaucratic red tape and getting vaccines into the hands of people who need them most.” She also noted that the expanded sites will help to reach the state’s large Latino and Native American populations, who historically have faced barriers to accessing health care.

However, some community leaders and business owners expressed concerns about the logistical demands and potential liability associated with operating vaccination sites. “We’re happy to support the health department, but we need clear guidelines on liability and insurance coverage,” said Maria Sanchez, owner of a chain of convenience stores that will serve as vaccination points in her stores. The NMDH has promised a dedicated hotline for sites to call with legal and operational questions, and a grant program to help cover the cost of protective equipment and staffing.

Links to Additional Resources

The original article on the KOAT website includes several embedded links that provide further context:

• The official New Mexico Department of Health COVID‑Vaccine Order PDF (available at https://www.nmdh.gov/covid-vaccine-order) outlines all legal provisions and operational requirements in detail.
• The New Mexico COVID‑Vaccine Dashboard (https://www.nmdh.gov/covid-dashboard) provides real‑time data on vaccination rates across all 33 counties and two independent territories.
• A local government FAQs page (https://www.nmdh.gov/covid-faq) explains the eligibility criteria for vaccines and offers guidance on how to set up a vaccination site.

Implications for New Mexico’s Pandemic Response

The health order is a bold move that signals the state’s intent to close the vaccination gap that has persisted since the early days of the pandemic. With the new order, New Mexico is positioning itself to meet the projected surge that some health experts predict will hit in the fall. “If we can get every person over the age of 12 vaccinated within the next two months, we’ll dramatically reduce severe disease and hospitalization rates,” says Dr. Ruiz.

While the measure is still in its infancy, the first week has already seen a 15% uptick in daily vaccinations statewide, according to the dashboard. If the momentum continues, New Mexico could set a new national standard for how states adapt public health measures to keep up with evolving pandemic dynamics.

For more updates, follow the NMDH on Twitter @NMDHealth or sign up for the weekly email bulletin on their website.