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Martinez Announces New Mexico’s Childhood Vaccination Coverage Reaches Record High

  Gov. Susana Martinez announced that childhood vaccination coverage in New Mexico reached an all time high in 2014.  New Mexico now ranks 10th best in the country among the 50 states for childhood vaccination coverage for 19 to 35 month olds.

“Making sure children are vaccinated is one of the best ways to keep them protected from dangerous and potentially deadly diseases,” said Gov. Martinez. “New Mexico is one of nine states that purchases all vaccines for children. Earlier this year, I signed legislation establishing the vaccine purchase fund to helpensure that we can continue to vaccinate our children for years to come.”

The ranking for the 4:3:1:3*:3:1:4 vaccine series includes vaccine for whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria; polio; measles, mumps, and rubella; haemophilus influenzae; hepatitis B; chickenpox; and pneumococcal disease. New Mexico’s rate was 75.9 percent in 2014, compared to 65.7 percent in 2013.

“Vaccines are one of our best public health tools. Parents should talk to their child’s doctor to make sure their children are up-to-date on all the recommended vaccinations,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward, MPH. “You can’t predict if an unvaccinated child will get a vaccine-preventable disease, or how severe the illness will be.”

Public Health Offices across the state provide vaccinations for children who are uninsured, or otherwise unable to get vaccinated. To find a public health office in your area, visit http://nmhealth.org/location/public/

Information from NM DOH