On February 28, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation for adults aged 65 years and older to receive an additional dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.

Data from the CDC indicates that adults aged 65 and older bear a disproportionate impact from COVID-19, with more than half of the hospitalizations occurring within this age group between October 2023 and December 2023. Recognizing the significance of vaccination, NMDOH encourages eligible individuals to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines. 

Previous CDC recommendations ensured that people who are immunocompromised are already eligible for additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.  

Previous Recommendations Still in Place for Other Age Groups:

• People who are aged 6 months or older and are moderately or severely immunocompromised may still receive additional updated COVID-19 vaccine doses 2 or more months after their last recommended COVID-19 vaccine.
• People who are aged 5 years or older remain eligible for a single dose of the updated Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine that became available in Fall 2023, if they have not already received one.
• Children who are aged 6 months to 4 years should complete a multi-dose initial series (2 doses of Moderna or 3 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) with at least one dose of the 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Children who have already completed an initial series, but have not yet received one dose of the updated (2023-2024) vaccine, should do so at least 2 months after the most recent COVID-19 vaccine dose.
• Anyone who has recently had COVID-19 disease may consider delaying their vaccine by 3 months after the infection.
• COVID-19 vaccines may be given without regard to the timing of other vaccines such as flu or RSV, including on the same day.

Access to the Updated (2023-2024) COVID-19 Vaccines:

• Most Americans can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for free. Most health insurance plans (including Medicaid and Medicare Part B) will cover COVID-19 vaccine at no cost.
• Uninsured individuals can receive the COVID-19 vaccine free of charge through a network of health centers, public health offices, and participating pharmacies in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program, ensuring universal vaccine access.
• Vaccine appointments can be found both on the NMDOH COVID vaccine finder website: Vaccine.doh.nm.gov and on the CDC Vaccine Finder website: Vaccines.gov
• Nurses are also available at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) to assist in scheduling a vaccine, finding a provider, or for assisting clinicians with questions about the vaccine. The line is staffed from Monday-Friday 7am-8pm MST, and weekends from 10am-4pm MST, with both English- and Spanish-speaking staff available.

This post is an excerpt from the NMDOH Press Release from February 29, 2024 titled “Older adults now eligible for additional dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine in New Mexico” and NMDOH’s Health Alert Network alert from February 29, 2024 titled “CDC Recommends Additional Updated COVID-19 Dose for Older Adults“.