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Updated vaccine booster recommendations

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The New Mexico Advisory Team has endorsed and begun implementing the updated vaccination booster recommendations issued by the Centers onr Disease Control Jan. 5.

“We’re gratified to see that the federal government has expanded eligibility for boosters,"N. M. Department of Health Deputy Secretary Dr. Laura Parajon said. "With Omicron on the rise, as more parents and children get vaccinated and boosted, they protect themselves and their communities against COVID-19.”

Despite breakthrough cases, getting up to date on vaccines - including a primary series and a booster - remains the most powerful tool to protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. The vast majority of hospitalizations and deaths occur among the small number of unvaccinated New Mexicans.

The CDC made the following recommendations for the Pfizer vaccine:

Children 12-15 are now approved for the booster.

The booster interval was decreased to five months for individuals 12 and older who have received a Pfizer primary series. The previous booster interval was six months.

Children ages 5-11 who are immune compromised should receive a booster dose 28 days after completion of the primary series. Previously, only immune compromised individuals over the age of 12 were eligible for the additional dose.

New Mexico COVID-19 vaccine providers can immediately implement the above recommendations.

Parents and guardians can schedule boosters at: vaccinenm.org/kids.

New Mexicans can also schedule primary vaccine and boosters with their medical or pharmacy provider or via vaccines.gov.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PROVIDERS:

Full clinical recommendations will be posted on the CDC website in the coming days.

INTERIM CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR USE OF COVID-19 VACCINES:

Being up to date on vaccines means getting all recommended vaccines which includes: additional doses for individuals who are immunocompromised or booster doses at regular time points.

Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get an additional primary shot and a booster shot.

Please visit this site for more information: Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines.

Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.

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