Vaccine system working – mostly

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Online, close to 300,000 people have registered for the Covid-19 vaccine and many have already received their first dose. Register on the New Mexico Department of Health’s (NMDOH) website at https://cvvaccine.nmhealth.org.

The registration process is straightforward: each user creates a profile, enters health and other information and then waits to receive notification from NMDOH when vaccine is available to them.

Users who have questions or would like support with the registration process, including New Mexicans who do not have Internet access, can dial 1-855-600-3453, press option 0 for vaccine questions, and then option 4 for tech support. Users who have other vaccine-related questions can call 1-855-600-3453 and simply press option 0.

“New Mexico is working to deliver vaccine as quickly and efficiently as possible. We encourage everyone to register, and we are pleased to provide in-person support to assist with that process,” said Dr. Tracie Collins, NMDOH secretary-designate.

The vaccine is already scheduling for the second group, individuals 75 or older, and is available to New Mexicans in the following sequence: 

  • All persons serving in health care settings who have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and are unable to work from home, as well as residents of long-term care facilities. Also includes workers in congregate settings.
  • Individuals 75 years of age and older 
  • Individuals 16 or older with underlying medical conditions that place them at greater risk from COVID-19
  • Frontline essential workers who cannot work remotely 
  • Vulnerable populations (residents of congregate care settings)

During an online press conference Monday, Collins said the state’s system will send out notices when booster shots are available. She also said there is no critical point where a booster will be ineffective, so if they are received several days or even weeks after the 28-day recommended period, they should still be effective.

While wait times on the hotline are reported to be in excess of an hour, Collins said the department is working on improvements to the website and expanding the workforce for the hotline so people will not be experiencing long periods on hold.


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