Vaccine Purchase Act

On March 20, 2015, the Vaccine Purchasing Act (VPA) went into effect, NMSA 1978, § 24-5A-1 et seq. Pursuant to the VPA, the vaccine purchasing fund was created in the state treasury. The fund consists of amounts reimbursed to the state by health insurers and group health plans for the purchase, storage and distribution of vaccines for their insured children. The Department’s rules associated with the VPA went into effect on August 28, 2015. NMAC 7.5.4.

Since the inception of the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program in the 1990s, the Department has purchased vaccines universally for children in New Mexico - both privately insured and VFC eligible children. The public health objective is to have a seamless vaccine distribution system in order for providers and patients to easily access childhood vaccines.

During the 2015 legislative session, the Legislature passed the VPA, requiring all insurers and group health plans doing business in the state to pay their proportionate share for childhood vaccines. The payment amount is based on a formula found in NMSA 1978, § 24-5A-6 B.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Vaccine Purchase Act (VPA) FAQs