While vaccines are the most effective method to prevent the spread of COVID-19, masks, social distancing, and self-isolation measures continue to be necessary to protect New Mexicans.
Download and view the pdf below for more information and guidance.
CDC is working with state and local public health officials to monitor the spread of Omicron. As of December 20, 2021, Omicron has been detected in most states and territories and is rapidly increasing the proportion of COVID-19 cases it is causing.
CDC has been collaborating with global public health and industry partners to learn about Omicron, as we continue to monitor its course. We don’t yet know how easily it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, or how well available vaccines and medications work against it.
For more guidance on the Omicron variant and how to defend against it, check the CDC website.
Preventable Covid-19 hospitalizations are crippling hospitals nationwide and Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is no exception. Hospitals everywhere, including GRMC, are closing ICU’s and other critical services in order to manage the overwhelming number of unvaccinated Covid patients. Right now, New Mexico is operating under crisis standards of care—essentially healthcare rationing–because our state is over 6,000 nurses short. Life is not “back to normal,” and acting like it is is killing people. Take reasonable precautions, wear a mask, get vaccinated.
Source: Alicia Edwards Guest Column in the Silver City Daily Press: Hospital, Community count on you https://silvercitydailypress-nm.newsmemory.com?publink=211db9c63_1345f05
An amended emergency public health order issued last week by the state of New Mexico will effectively require many workers to receive a booster shot when eligible to protect against the ongoing spread of COVID-19.This state was one of the first to expand booster eligibility and for weeks has been recommending all vaccinated adults receive one.
New Mexico’s state public health policies have for months required that many workers in higher-risk environments – including workers in all health care and congregate-care settings – be vaccinated. Public school workers and state employees, meanwhile, must submit to weekly COVID-19 testing if they are not vaccinated.
The amended state public health order, issued Thursday by Acting Health Secretary David R. Scrase, M.D., will require those categories of workers to receive a booster shot.
Those workers must receive a booster dose no later than January 17, 2022, or within four weeks of becoming eligible.
The New Mexico Department of Health announced on Friday that COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine booster scheduling is now available for 16-17-year-olds.
This follows federal approvals by the FDA and CDC and a review by the New Mexico Medical Advisory Team yesterday.
Parents and guardians can register and schedule their children for vaccine boosters at vaccineNM.org. (Additional instructions are available at vaccineNM.org/kids.) Parents and guardians can also schedule directly with their health care provider. In addition, parents and guardians will be able to find vaccine appointments on the CDC vaccine finder website: Vaccines.gov – Find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you.
_________________________________________
For more information, visit Hidalgo Medical Services website at hms-nm.org
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order expanding eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots to all New Mexico adults as part of the state’s strategy to address rising case numbers and hospitalizations, a trend being seen nationwide.
New Mexicans aged 18 and over may now schedule a booster shot if:
“Providing boosters for adults will significantly increase levels of immunity protection across our state – and that’s essential for all of us. COVID-19 is incredibly opportunistic – and it’s our job to ensure that the virus has fewer and fewer opportunities to spread,” said Secretary Scrase. “If it’s time for you to get a booster, please do so right away.”
While the vaccines remain highly effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths, new data suggests that immunity protection can wane over time – leading to more vaccine breakthrough cases. As immunity protection wanes, the immunized become more susceptible to infection – though their infections are typically much milder than those among unvaccinated individuals.
Health officials also strongly recommend that children 5-17 receive vaccinations.
New Mexicans can sign up for initial vaccinations and booster shots at VaccineNM.org. Instructions for scheduling children’s vaccinations are also available here.
Watch this message from Silver City and Grant County officials and medical professionals about protecting your children and your family from COVID-19 given the significant increase in cases.
