New Mexico leads vaccine rollout
Half of residents 16+ have received 1st shot
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico health officials on Wednesday reported more progress in getting residents vaccinated as the state continues to lead the U.S. in vaccine rollout.
State Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins said that 50 percent of residents 16 and older have received their first shot and 31 percent are fully vaccinated. The latest figures come as other states look to expand distribution beyond health care workers and other priority groups to meet an April 19 deadline from the White House.
While New Mexico opened up eligibility Monday, Collins said priority will still be given to those who are 75 or older and other senior citizens who have chronic conditions that put them at greater risk.
State officials also said more vaccine clinics are planned, including a dozen in southern New Mexico. They are also working with health care providers to target people who are homebound, noting that about 1,000 doses have been administered to people in that group.
Despite the progress, the officials stressed that vaccinations along with continued public health restrictions such as mask-wearing will be important as COVID-19 variants emerge. They said the state’s color-coded risk system for counties is likely to remain in place at least through late May or early June depending on spread rates and daily case totals.
As of Wednesday, 10 of the state’s 33 counties were classified as yellow, meaning there are more restrictions on commercial and day-to-day activities amid higher virus risk.
“I think we want to move in a general direction that takes everybody forward. I think the vaccine is the thing that’s going to help us to do that,” said Dr. David Scrase, head of the New Mexico Department of Human Services.
The New Mexico National Guard is operating a vaccine distribution center in Albuquerque, which U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich toured Tuesday.