New Mexico health department moves 60-year-olds with chronic conditions up in vaccine line

ALBUQUERQUE – On Thursday, the New Mexico Department of Health announced another adjustment to who is currently prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines. 

Currently, the largest subgroup eligible to be vaccinated for the disease are residents aged 16 and older who have at least one chronic health condition that may exacerbate the effects of COVID-19 disease. The health department reports that subgroup alone accounts for more than 25 percent of New Mexicans.

Now, the health department says that within that subgroup, persons aged 60 and over will be prioritized. 

The move was consistent with state Health Secretary Tracie Collins' repeated emphasis on reducing fatalities from the disease as a priority in vaccine allocation. 

In a statement, Collins wrote: “Age is the single most important predictor of COVID-related vulnerability, and some health conditions place residents at much greater risk of COVID-related health complications. Prioritizing vaccine for New Mexicans in these groups will save lives.” 

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The latest adjustment followed the state's announcement earlier this week that K-12 educators and educational staff were eligible for vaccinations. The rollout for teachers has been confusing: In January, the state began vaccinating teachers but halted that after two weeks, citing an internal communications error. This week, the state announced that public schools and charters could reopen fully as soon as April 5, and resumed the vaccinations.

Under the state's phased vaccine rollout based on occupation, age and health status, the following subgroups are currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations: 

• Phase 1A (hospital personnel, health care workers, congregate setting workers)
• New Mexicans 75 years and older
• Educators, early childhood professionals, and school staff
• New Mexicans aged 16+ with a chronic health condition, with 60+ prioritized

A full list of the qualifying chronic health conditions — including cancer, heart and kidney disease, and more — can be viewed on the state's online COVID-19 vaccine registry, www.VaccineNM.org by clicking the "I want to create a new profile" button and scrolling down. 

The state's centralized vaccine rollout requires New Mexicans to register on the website, creating a profile and providing contact information to be notified when they may schedule an appointment for the vaccination. 

Registration is also available via telephone at 855-600-3453, pressing option 0 for vaccine questions, and then option 4 for tech support.

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Two of the three vaccines currently approved for emergency use in the United States require two shots, spaced two to three weeks apart, while a third vaccine requires only a single shot. 

Wait times for that initial appointment remain long, however, as limited supplies have come into the state amid nationwide demand. With production ramping up, however, President Joe Biden recently declared that the nation would have enough supply for every American adult still in need of vaccination by the end of May. 

The health department's announcement Thursday coincided with the first anniversary of the COVID-19 public health emergency in New Mexico. 

Algernon D'Ammassa can be reached at 575-541-5451, adammassa@lcsun-news.com or @AlgernonWrites on Twitter.

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