About this series:
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. …
,
By Alex Ross, NM Political Report — Despite upheaval and uncertainty caused by the changes to vaccine policies at the federal level, a state health official in New Mexico said flu and COVID vaccines are available to anyone who wants them.
In terms of the flu vaccine, Andrea Romero, the immunization section manager with the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH), told The Paper. and New Mexico Political Report that the state has been able to fill orders since early September for the providers it supplies upon request. She said that is earlier than usual.
“It’s actually been pretty successful with distribution, because this is one of the earliest times we’ve had in respiratory season, having the flu vaccine available,” she said.
Those providers, which Romero said include DOH public health offices, school centers, doctors’ offices, birthing hospitals and other federally qualifying centers, have been able to have those orders filled on demand weekly and as needed.
Pharmacies and many hospitals are not enrolled as providers, but Romero said they get their vaccine supply allocation through their own distributors.
In terms of the COVID-19 vaccine, Romero stated that on Oct. 6, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) opened up ordering for vaccine programs across the nation. Since then, New Mexico has received an allocation of vaccines each week to replenish its stock and meet the needs of providers.
She added that providers are especially important when it comes to vaccinating children, because unlike pharmacies, which tend to serve adults, the 321 providers enrolled with the state tend to serve children.
“So we were able to provide presentations for the 6-month to 11-year-olds, which is really more in high demand, because there’s only one presentation of that group this year. So with that, we were able to take order requests from providers, and we’ve been putting communication out that providers order as needed,” she said.
Romero added that to expand vaccine access to rural communities, mobile units are being sent to those underserved areas so populations in remote areas, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured, can get immunized at no cost.
No prescription or pre-authorization is necessary to get a vaccine at a pharmacy.
“What we are hearing from pharmacies, actually, is that appointments are being done, and they’re being done if folks want to have a COVID and flu shot at their appointment, they could get both at once. So, I feel like their appointments are now pretty steady, and they’re running on track at most pharmacy chains right now,” Romero said.