ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Nearly one quarter of New Mexico’s population has registered to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, but officials at some of the state’s largest health care providers said Monday that inconsistencies with the supply chain are among the barriers to getting more shots in arms.
More than 507,700 residents have registered on New Mexico’s vaccine website, and health officials have been urging people to be patient as the focus shifts from vaccinating front-line health care workers, first responders and those at long-term care facilities to senior citizens. Those with chronic illnesses that put them at higher risk also are on the list.
Roughly 750,000 people fall within the groups eligible now. Dr. Tracie Collins, state health secretary, said it could be weeks before New Mexico can expand eligibility given the uncertainties around federal vaccine allocations. She did expect more doses to be delivered in the coming weeks.
“It’s really at their discretion,” Collins said of the Biden administration. “Certainly, we can advocate for more doses and highlight the needs that we have in the state - and that’s what we’re doing.”
New Mexico receives between 50,000 and 60,000 doses weekly. About half of the doses are aimed at people getting their first shots, and the remainder goes to those ready for their second injection, which is needed for full protection.
Of the 221,375 doses that have been shipped so far, nearly 204,000 have been administered, putting New Mexico among the top states for vaccine distribution rates.
Top officials with some of the state’s largest health care providers acknowledged during a briefing Monday that the number of doses is one thing preventing more people from getting shots. They said they are ready to set up more clinics to administer vaccines after more doses arrive.
Another concern is some evidence suggesting that aside from being more contagious, a new coronavirus variant first identified in England may carry a higher risk of death, said Dr. Vesta Sandoval, chief medical officer for Lovelace Health System in Albuquerque.
“We’re going to have to watch the situation very closely because of course we know those variants exist in the United States. This is really one of the reasons why we must continue wearing masks and be very, very diligent,” Sandoval said.
The continued push for mask-wearing, hand-washing and social distancing by hospital officials comes as New Mexico has seen its daily numbers of confirmed infections fall along with COVID-19 hospitalizations. In fact, the daily infection total has been below 1,000 for the last several days.
Dr. David Scrase, head of New Mexico’s Human Services Department, also noted that the rate of spread is below the state’s target and the rate of positive tests is just over 7% after having been in double digits for months.
“Those of us who spend time every morning at 7 going over this data, we follow it really closely. Our feeling is that this downward trend is real,” Scrase said.
However, deaths are still high, with more than 200 reported in the last week. Officials said there is about a four-week lag before changes in the case total are reflected, so the death rate is expected to ease up in February.
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