“Don’t Wait, Vaccinate!” during National Immunization Awareness Month

SANTA FE – August is National Immunization Awareness Month and is a great time for people of all ages to get up to date with their vaccines. In order to encourage New Mexicans to get vaccinated the Department of Health (DOH) is running a “Don’t Wait, Vaccinate!” awareness campaign and holding back-to-school immunization events across the state.  

“Vaccines are essential to help keep our bodies prepared to fight off infections,” said DOH Deputy Secretary Dr. Laura Parajón. “Getting vaccinated is like putting on protective armor against germs. The armor doesn’t completely guarantee you won’t get sick, but it greatly lowers your chances of getting severe illness or dying.” 

In New Mexico, during the emergency response to the COVID pandemic, we experienced a decrease in the number of children staying up to date with recommended childhood vaccines. In the year 2020 we saw vaccine rates down to 64.57% and slowly climb up to 73.70% in 2022. Gradually rates are improving with vaccine catch up efforts.  

The “Don’t Wait, Vaccinate!” campaign, which launched in May, delivers the message to parents that it’s time to ensure their kids are caught up with their vaccinations. The campaign is using television commercials, radio advertisements, and social media to get the word out. Partner toolkits consisting of posters, flyers, and social media are also available for use.  Visit vaccinenm.org/kids for more information.  

To make it easier to get kids vaccinated before heading back to school, the DOH and its partners are hosting the annual Got Shots? events across the state. Participating clinics and medical practices will be providing no cost back-to-school immunizations until August 31, for all children aged 18 and younger regardless of whether they are a patient or have insurance. Some host clinics during evening hours and weekends to accommodate parents’ busy schedules. 

To find Got Shots? events in your community, visit the Got Shots? website. 

Adults who want to get their vaccinations can go to their regular medical provider and some DOH public health offices also provide immunizations for adults. Uninsured adults can find locations to get vaccinated on this website. Most locations offer the flu vaccine and many of them offer other important adult vaccinations such as Hepatitis B and MMR (Measels, Mumps and Rubella). 

To know which vaccinations you or your child have already received, visit VaxViewNM.org or call 1-833-882-6454, hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F, closed 12 to 1 p.m. for lunch, customers may also leave a voicemail and receive a call back. Additional information about immunizations for both children and adults are also available on the DOH Immunization Program portion of our website. The Centers for Disease Control recently posted the 2023 Immunization schedules Vaccines and Immunizations | CDC for children, adults, and health care providers.    

Media Contact

We would be happy to provide additional information about this press release. Simply contact David Barre at (505) 699-9237 (Office) with your questions.

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"No espere, vacúnese" en el Mes Nacional de Concienciación para la Inmunización