The Department of Health Vaccine Advisory Committee met Nov. 3, 2022, to have an open scientific debate and make recommendations for the New Mexico School Entry Immunization Requirements for the upcoming school year. The committee did not make any significant additions or changes to the 2023/2024 school immunization requirements, and no new vaccinations were mandated.
The Vaccine Advisory Committee meets once a year to discuss New Mexico School Entry Immunization Requirements for each upcoming school year. Any changes and/or recommendations for New Mexico school immunizations are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices annual recommendations as well as local knowledge and subject matter expertise of committee members. New Mexico school nurses are granted public health authority by the New Mexico Secretary of Health for collecting and submitting immunization information.
“Vaccine mandates in schools have been around since 1850 and are designed to control vaccine preventable diseases like diphtheria, measles, mumps, pertussis, polio, rubella and tetanus,” said David R. Scrase M.D, acting Department of Health cabinet secretary. “Vaccine mandates for attendance in school and daycare are necessary to protect all children from communicable diseases in childhood.”
The Vaccine Advisory Committee recommends continuation of the 10 current vaccines required for school entry for the 2023/2024 school immunization requirements. They also recommend age-appropriate flu and COVID-19 vaccines, and strongly recommend human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at age 11-12. No significant changes or additions were made to mandated immunizations for the next school year.
“DOH has never required vaccinations for viral respiratory illnesses for school children, but we do encourage them this year as we are seeing an influx of young children getting sick with different viruses including RSV, flu and COVID-19 and hospital pediatric units are above capacity,” said Dr. Scrase. “Vaccinating children against flu and COVID-19 would help prevent disease spread, severe illness and long-term complications in children.”
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