New Mexicans face holidays with low flu, COVID vaccination rates

SANTA FE — Health officials are urging New Mexicans to get vaccinated for seasonal respiratory illness ahead of the winter holidays, but only a small minority are getting the message, judging from state vaccination data.

Vaccination rates for both influenza and COVID-19 have never been robust in New Mexico but appear lower this year than in the past, state Department of Health data shows.

New Mexico physicians say confusing messages about vaccine safety have complicated the job of convincing patients to get seasonal vaccinations.

“It definitely seems worse this year and that seems related to the volume of misinformation out there,” said Dr. John Pederson, a pediatrician and children’s program medical director for Presbyterian Healthcare Services. “It’s a confusing time. There is far more misinformation out there than ever before.”

Only about 9% of New Mexico residents have received a COVID-19 vaccination since Oct. 1, down from 16% during the 2024-25 respiratory illness season, according to the New Mexico Department of Health dashboard.

Vaccination rates for influenza are somewhat better.

Nearly 20% of state residents have received a flu vaccine since Oct. 1, compared with 27% during the 2024-25 flu season.

Vaccination rates also vary widely by age group. Among New Mexicans 65 and older, about 43% have been vaccinated for flu this year and 26% for COVID.

But among children ages 6 months to 4 years, 19% are vaccinated for flu and only 2.3% have had COVID vaccinations.

Both flu and COVID-19 illnesses have ticked up slightly in recent weeks, said Dr. Chad Smelser, acting state epidemiologist for the New Mexico Department of Health.

“Because of that, we recommend that people protect themselves with both the COVID vaccine and influenza vaccine,” Smelser said. “All indications are that although these vaccines are not perfect, they are good at protecting against severe disease.”

COVID-19 infections have declined since their peak in August, but recently have begun to trend upward, he said.

Health officials are urging New Mexicans to get flu shots ahead of the holidays because travel and gatherings increase the risk of spreading illness.

“Early December is a great time to get a flu shot because it takes up to two weeks to build up the maximum protection the flu vaccine provides,” said Andrea Romero, DOH immunization program manager.

Particularly at risk are people with underlying health conditions, those ages 50 and older and children younger than 5. Those under the age of 2 are especially vulnerable.

“I do think all of the messaging has been rather confusing this year,” said Dr. Meghan Brett, an infectious diseases physician and hospital epidemiologist at University of New Mexico Hospital.

Flu vaccines are particularly valuable because they can reduce the risk of serious infections that can require hospitalization, Brett said. COVID vaccinations are particularly effective during the first three-to-six months, but offer continued protection against severe disease, she said.

Not all New Mexico pediatricians report hesitancy among parents to get flu and COVID-19 vaccines for their children.

Dr. Priya Shah, a pediatrician at Journey Pediatrics in Albuquerque, said parents at her clinic have expressed increased interest in getting their children vaccinated for COVID and flu.

“I’ve seen an increased intake of flu and COVID vaccines amongst my patient population,” Shah said Wednesday. “I’ve actually been surprised this year to see that trend, because it hasn’t been that way in previous years. But that’s just within my clinic.”

Children are at greater risk of severe disease from flu, Shah said. She also warned that the flu season could be severe this year based on trends in Australia and Europe.

“I think the vaccine is always important, but even more so this year,” Shah said. “That risk is high in the pediatric population, so all the more reason for families to vaccinate their kids.”