Flu season, which also includes COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, usually starts in October and ramps up in December or January, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control. That’s why pharmacists and other medical providers make such a big push for people to get flu and COVID vaccines in October.
CDC flu and COVID trackers showed low activity at the end of September just before the federal government shutdown which paused CDC reporting on public health data.
At about the same time, federal CDC vaccine recommendations have been changed, amended and changed again as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. fired federal vaccine advisors and the CDC head who refused to adopt his vaccine skepticism theories as medical advice.
Here at home, the Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and New Mexico legislators enacted changes to state vaccine policies, letting the state set its own standards and recommendations for vaccine policy based on public health data and recommendations from national health groups.
That’s important because health insurance providers must pay for vaccines for patients who fall within those guidelines.
So, amid all the confusion and misinformation, The Paper. and New Mexico Political Report checked the facts to help readers understand what this year’s flu and COVID season looks like and when, where and how to get vaccinated, if they choose.
The Flu and COVID Season Ahead
Although the CDC stopped reporting national flu and COVID data during the government shutdown, New Mexico’s Department of Health (DOH) still keeps tabs.
New Mexico tracks “Influenza-like Illness” (ILI) for persons with a fever (>100°F)
and cough and/or sore throat (regardless of any other diagnostic test result). So far in this flu season, New Mexico’s hospitals are reporting minimal diagnoses of COVID-19, flu or respiratory syncytical virus (RSV).
As of October 11 (the most recent period reported), less than 1% of emergency visits in Bernalillo County over the past two weeks resulted in one of these respiratory diagnoses, which NM DOH says is “a more complete indicator” of county-wide infection rates. Of course, this data only captures patients who sought care at an emergency medical facility.
This year’s data tracks with 2024 when flu and COVID infection rates began to rise the week of Nov. 11th and hitting seasonal highs the week of Dec. 25th when 7% of emergency visits statewide resulted in a flu diagnosis.
That means you still have time to get this year’s vaccine.
Get the Facts: COVID, flu and Other Respiratory Vaccines in New Mexico
How do I know which vaccines I’ve received?
If you grew up in New Mexico, your vaccine records may be on file with the NM DOH. To access your records, visit vaxview.doh.nm.gov.
What about COVID and other respiratory vaccines for pregnant women and young children?
NM DOH says that COVID-19 continues to be a cause of hospitalization and death in the pediatric population, especially under two years of age. COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy provides passive immunity to infants under six months until they are old enough to be vaccinated.
For children, New Mexico follows recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics which recommends vaccines for infants and children 6 through 23 months of age. Children 6 months through 18 years of age who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. This group may require 2 or more doses of age-appropriate 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine depending on previous vaccination status, DOH tells medical providers.
What do I need to know about exemptions from school and daycare vaccine requirements, including for COVID vaccines, for my child?
The New Mexico Immunization Exemption Statute (24-5-3) allows two types of vaccine exemptions from school required vaccines: medical and religious. Personal and/or philosophical exemptions are not allowed in NM, according to NM DOH. Visit nmhealth.org and search “vaccine exemption.”
Who else should get a COVID vaccine?
In October, the federal government’s Centers for Disease Control issued guidelines recommending vaccines for certain at-risk populations and recommending others consult with a medical provider. Following recommendations from national public health organizations, New Mexico issued revised recommendations to pharmacists and health providers ensuring that anyone who wants a vaccine can get one. Some at-risk populations may be proactively suggested to receive a vaccine.
For now, most people are only recommended to receive one dose. Additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine may be offered at the discretion of the healthcare provider to all persons with immune compromise, based on the individual’s clinical circumstances.
What if I have an adverse reaction to a vaccine?
If you are concerned about your medical condition, immediately consult a medical provider or call 911. Adverse events should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Reporting is encouraged for any clinically significant adverse event, even when a causal association between the vaccine and the event is uncertain. Vaccination errors should also be reported to VAERS. Additional information is available at https://vaers.hhs.gov or by telephone at 1-800-8227967.
Editor’s note: To ensure readers have the most accurate medical information, these recommendations are sourced directly from the CDC and NM Dept. of Health with some editing for brevity. For questions about vaccine recommendations and policy should contact their health provider or call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-796-8773.
What if I get sick
There are medications called “antiviral drugs” that can prevent serious complications from flu and COVID, like pneumonia and death. Antiviral drugs fight against the flu in your body and you can only get them if you have a prescription from a healthcare provider. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics which fight against bacterial infections.
Treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having milder illness instead of very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay. Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best when they are started early, within 2 days of getting sick if possible.
Am I considered “high risk”?
New Mexicans with these conditions are considered “high risk” by NMDOH. Medical providers are told to suggest a COVID vaccine for these populations:
Asthma
Cancer
Cardiovascular disease (including congenital heart disease)
Cerebrovascular disease
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic lung disease, limited to:Bronchiectasis COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and Interstitial lung disease
Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary hypertension
Chronic liver disease limited to: Cirrhosis Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Alcoholic liver disease, Autoimmune hepatitis
Cystic fibrosis
Diabetes mellitus, type 1 and 2
Gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., feeding tube dependent, inflammatory bowel disease)
Gestational diabetes
Disabilities, including Down syndrome
Heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies) Hematologic disease (e.g., Sickle Cell)
Hepatic disease
Immunodeficiency disorders (e.g., Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV], primary immunodeficiency, receipt of immunosuppressive therapy, receipt of hematopoietic cell transplant or solid organ transplant)
Mental health conditions limited to: Mood disorders, including depression
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Metabolic disorders
Neurologic conditions (e.g., dementia, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, intellectual developmental disorder, epilepsy, compromised mobility/wheelchair dependent)
Obesity (BMI >= 30 or >= 95th percentile in children)
Physical inactivity
Pregnancy and recent pregnancy
Rheumatologic, autoimmune disease (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile idiopathic arthritis)
Smoking, current and former
Solid-organ or blood stem-cell transplantation
Tuberculosis
How to Get a Free Vaccine
Adults with private health insurance, Medicaid and/or Medicare can receive vaccines at their provider’s office or at a pharmacy.
For those without insurance, several community health centers and clinics offer free vaccines. Most locations offer flu vaccines and many offer other important vaccines such as hepatitis B, hepatitis A, MMR, Tdap, pneumococcal vaccine, and more. Call the provider or clinic to ask about their hours, what vaccines are available, and how to make an appointment
Vaccines for adults without health insurance
North Valley
First Choice Community Healthcare Alameda Center
7704-A 2nd St NW
(505) 890-1458
http://www.fcch.com/locations
North Valley Public Health Office
7704 2nd St NW
(505) 897-5700
https://nmhealth.org/location/public/#Bernalillo
First Choice Community Healthcare North Valley Center
1231 Candelaria Rd NW
Call (505) 345-3244
South Valley
First Choice South Valley Health Center
2001 Centro Familiar SW
(505) 873-7400
First Choice Community Healthcare Alamosa Center
6900 Gonzales Rd SW
(505) 831-2534
Downtown
Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless
1217 1st St NW
(505) 766-5197
First Choice Community Healthcare South Broadway Center
1401 Williams St SE
(505) 768-5450
International District
First Nations Zuni
5608 Zuni Rd SE
(505) 262-2481
Southeast Heights Public Health Office
7525 Zuni SE
(505) 841-8928
https://nmhealth.org/location/public/#Bernalillo
Northeast Heights
First Nations Truman
625 Truman St NE
(505) 268-0478
Midtown Public Health Office
2400 Wellesley 2nd Floor NE
(505) 841-4100
https://nmhealth.org/location/public/#Bernalillo.
Northeast Heights Public Health Office
8120 La Mirada Pl NE
(505) 332-4850
https://nmhealth.org/location/public/#Bernalillo
Sandoval County
Sandoval Public Health Office
1500 Idalia NE, Bernalillo
(505) 867-2291
https://nmhealth.org/location/public/#Sandoval.
Edgewood
First Choice Community Healthcare Edgewood
8 Medical Road Center, Edgewood
(505) 281-3406
http://www.fcch.com/locations.
Tó Hajiileehé
Canoncito Health Center
129 Medicine Dr, Tó Hajiileehé
(505) 831-6300
New Mexico Removes Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccines
The FDA approved updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccinations for the current respiratory virus season. While the FDA approvals focused on specific high-risk groups, the New Mexico standing order allows providers to use their clinical judgement to vaccinate anyone who would benefit, following the evidence-based state guidelines.
Pharmacists, physicians and other medical providers can now provide a COVID-19 vaccine without a prescription.
In addition, the New Mexico Health Care Authority confirms individuals enrolled in Medicaid will have the full cost of their COVID-19 vaccines covered. Persons with private insurance can also access vaccines free of charge from their provider or pharmacist.
Anyone denied a COVID-19 vaccine should call the New Mexico Department of Health Helpline at 1-833-796-8773.
