State, CDC, FDA and Health and Human Services all extend COVID-19 booster shot eligibility to all New Mexico adults 18 and over

All adults aged 18 and over may now schedule a booster shot if:

• They received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than two months ago OR
• They completed the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series more than six months ago

Please see CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Guidelines for the full details.

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Statement from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday 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.

“As we have throughout this unpredictable and unprecedented global pandemic, we always stand ready to quickly implement new tools and policies in our fight against this terrible disease,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “I strongly encourage every New Mexican to register for a booster today – we have appointments available and are ready to get shots in arms.”

MASK REQUIREMENT EXTENDED

The statewide requirement that face masks be worn in all indoor public spaces, with only limited exceptions and regardless of vaccination status, will also be extended, effective through at least December 10.

Staffed hospital beds remain in dangerously short supply, as primarily unvaccinated individuals continue to spread a more infectious variant of the virus, and several New Mexico hospitals have implemented crisis standards of care.

Health officials, including at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, continue to recommend tight-fitting face masks be worn in indoor spaces as they are effective in limiting the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant.

This is an excerpt from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s media release from November 12, 2021 titled “State extends booster eligibility to all New Mexico adults.”

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Statement from HSS Secretary Xavier Becerra

On the heels of the FDA and CDC decisions to expand COVID-19 booster shots to all adults, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra issued the following statement:
 
“All adults are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots. After thorough review of the data, we are following the science, which shows boosters can help increase people’s protection from COVID-19 and help us reduce infections and severe outcomes. This is especially important ahead of the winter months, where we all spend more time indoors. I am grateful to the hard-working scientists at the FDA and CDC for their rigorous, independent decision-making on booster shots and their ongoing commitment to keeping us all safe.
 
We are committed to using every tool at our disposal to fight the virus on our path out of the pandemic, and boosters are important for strengthening people’s protection from disease and helping us stave off a worse winter surge. We will continue to pull every lever we have to get all Americans vaccinated, but for the adults who are already vaccinated, you can get your booster six months after your second dose of either Pfizer or Moderna, or two months after your single dose of J&J. Getting a booster can help keep you—and those around you—even safer. If you are eligible, please go to vaccines.gov (New Mexico residents, please visit vaccinenm.org) to find available vaccine near you and schedule your booster appointment today.”