State waives event code for seniors seeking shots

Policy change is intended to make it easier for those 75 and older to get vaccinated in New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Health said Monday that people 75 years or older no longer need event codes to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine.

The department said seniors will receive invitations to schedule appointments. Then, they will log in to vaccineNM.org using their confirmation code and date of birth and schedule an appointment at a time and location that is convenient for them.

The goal of the policy change is to make it easier for older folks to get vaccinated. They will still need to make an appointment to get the shot.

The change comes as more people get vaccinated and COVID-related deaths and cases continue to decline. On Monday, the state reported no deaths related to the virus for the second day in a row, and the number of people hospitalized with COVID throughout the state dropped below 100.

“New Mexico has vaccinated the large majority of our seniors, and we have reached out to nearly all the rest. We expect this change to make it easier for all remaining seniors to get their shots,” Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins said.

The Health Department said in a news release that 70.1% of New Mexicans 75 years and older have received at least a first dose and that 57% are fully vaccinated.

Matt Bieber, a spokesman for the Health Department, said event codes, which seniors no longer need to use, are unique to vac

cination events. Confirmation codes are unique to individuals.

The state reported 182 new confirmed COVID cases on Monday. Bernalillo County had the most new cases, with 54, followed by Doña Ana County, with 52.

On Monday, 99 people were hospitalized with COVID throughout the state, according to the Health Department.

CVS Health said Monday that it will start offering the COVID vaccine at five of its pharmacies in the state beginning Wednesday. The pharmacies where the vaccine will be offered are in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Roswell and Santa Fe.

Only people who meet the state criteria for eligibility will be able to book appointments, which can be done on CVS’ website, cvs.com, or by calling 800-746-7287.

“We’re proud to play a part in increasing access to the vaccine to as many people as possible to enable reopening efforts in the communities we serve,” said Neela Montgomery, president of CVS Pharmacy and executive vice president of CVS Health.