In response to potential federal limitations on access to the COVID-19 vaccine, the state Department of Health has issued a public health order that removes those limitations so that pharmacies can vaccinate people of all ages, including children under 6 months old, a NMDOH news release said.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week approved an updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine, but some pharmacies in New Mexico have said they won’t be able to give the vaccine to those for whom it is not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The NMDOH order states that “the currently available COVID-19 vaccines are safe and the most effective way of preventing infection, serious illness, and death.” However, the USFDA approval of vaccine limits their use to those at high risk for severe disease and outcomes, not including children aged 6 months and under. The order says NMDOH will work with the state Board of Pharmacy to remove potential barriers access to COVID-19 vaccines at pharmacies in New Mexico.The state expects the updates COVID-19 vaccine to become available in New Mexico in several weeks”It’s important for New Mexican to know that the New Mexico Department of Health is committed to keeping residents safe as we enter the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season,” said Health Secretary Gina DeBlassie. “This order will remove obstacles to vaccination access.”

In response to potential federal limitations on access to the COVID-19 vaccine, the state Department of Health has issued a public health order that removes those limitations so that pharmacies can vaccinate people of all ages, including children under 6 months old, a NMDOH news release said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week approved an updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine, but some pharmacies in New Mexico have said they won’t be able to give the vaccine to those for whom it is not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

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The NMDOH order states that “the currently available COVID-19 vaccines are safe and the most effective way of preventing infection, serious illness, and death.” However, the USFDA approval of vaccine limits their use to those at high risk for severe disease and outcomes, not including children aged 6 months and under.

The order says NMDOH will work with the state Board of Pharmacy to remove potential barriers access to COVID-19 vaccines at pharmacies in New Mexico.

The state expects the updates COVID-19 vaccine to become available in New Mexico in several weeks

“It’s important for New Mexican to know that the New Mexico Department of Health is committed to keeping residents safe as we enter the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season,” said Health Secretary Gina DeBlassie. “This order will remove obstacles to vaccination access.”