ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico will be expanding vaccine eligibility next week to everyone 16 years of age and older, state health officials said Wednesday.
The federal government has directed states to make all adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccination by May 1. State Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins said New Mexico will meet that mark April 5.
While the pace of vaccination has been limited by supply, Collins said federal officials have indicated that states should expect “meaningful increases” in supply over the coming weeks.
New Mexico continues to lead the U.S. in vaccine distribution, with nearly 1.2 million doses administered so far. The latest data from the state indicated that about 27% of residents 16 and older have been fully vaccinated while more than 44% have received their first shots.
Even though eligibility is expanding next week, the Health Department said it will continue to prioritize vaccinations for those who were in the first groups, including health care workers, nursing home staff members and residents, people 75 and older and those New Mexicans with existing health conditions that put them at greater risk.
