The New Mexico Department of Health on Thursday announced that going forward, New Mexicans 60 years and older with a chronic condition that places them at severe risk of COVID-related health complications will be prioritized for vaccination appointments within the larger pool of New Mexicans with a chronic health condition.
Currently, four groups of New Mexicans are eligible for vaccine:
- Phase 1A (primarily health care workers)
- New Mexicans 75 years and older
- Educators, early childhood professionals, and school staff
- New Mexicans with a chronic health condition
The new prioritization affects New Mexicans in the last of these groups - New Mexicans with a chronic health condition. More than a quarter of New Mexico’s population falls into this category; in order to ensure that vaccine goes to those who are most at risk of COVID-related health complications, DOH will prioritize vaccine appointments for those who are 60 years and older with a health condition that places them at severe risk of COVID-related health complications.
“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,” said DOH Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins. “Prioritizing vaccine for New Mexicans in these groups will save lives.”
The full list of qualifying chronic health conditions is available at vaccineNM.org (users can click on “I want to create a new profile” to see the list). The list is divided into two sections: “Increased Risk Of Severe Illness” and “Might Be At Increased Risk.” Going forward, New Mexicans 60 years and older with a chronic condition in the “Increased Risk of Severe Illness” category will be prioritized.