SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) recommends that people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least four months ago receive a second mRNA booster (Pfizer or Moderna) to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19 ( for a total of four doses). DOH also recommends people 12 and older with certain immune deficiencies receive a second booster dose of an mRNA vaccine at least four months after their first booster dose (for a total of five doses).
In addition, DOH recommends a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least four months ago.
These recommendations are in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s authorization of a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older people and certain immunocompromised individuals.
“Vaccines and boosters are both safe and free. The data clearly demonstrates that COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses protect individuals from both infection and severe outcomes,” said Acting Department of Health Secretary, David R. Scrase, M.D. “Anyone eligible should seriously consider getting an additional mRNA booster to further increase their protection. This is especially important for those 65 and older and those 50 and older with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for severe disease from COVID-19 as they are the most likely to benefit from receiving an additional booster dose at this time.”
Individuals who have had COVID-19 are advised to stay up-to-date with the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Unvaccinated individuals or vaccinated individuals with breakthrough cases recovering from COVID-19 are eligible for vaccine after their isolation period of ten days is over and their symptoms have resolved.
Appointments can be scheduled with your local pharmacy, doctor’s office and many community providers. To schedule an appointment online visit: www.vaccineNM.org or if you need help scheduling an appointment, call 1-855-600-3453 and pick option 3 for English and option 9 for Spanish.