The University of New Mexico is participating in the national COVID-19 College Challenge, where they are working to ensure they can get as much of the community vaccinated as quickly as possible. New Mexico ranks among the top states in the nation in getting its population vaccinated with nearly half of the population fully vaccinated.
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is leading the State of New Mexico’s COVID-19 Vaccination Preparedness Planning in close collaboration with other state agencies, public, private and tribal partners throughout the state.
Everyone 12 years and older is eligible for a vaccine, it’s free, and there’s likely a location nearby where people can receive the shot.
The COVID-19 College Challenge was created by President Joe Biden to encourage as many Americans as possible to get vaccinated. Doing so is critical to saving lives and helping the country return to normal.
While a significant portion of older generations has received the shot, younger Americans lag behind. It is time for younger generations to get their shot. Ensuring that young people join their parents and grandparents and get vaccinated will not only keep them safe but will also protect their families and communities by reducing the risk of giving the virus to someone else.
The White House and the U.S. Department of Education are inviting colleges and universities across the country to join the efforts to end the pandemic by signing up for the COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge.
Participating colleges commit to taking three key actions to help get their campus communities vaccinated: engaging every student, faculty, and staff member; organizing their college communities; and delivering vaccine access for all.
This effort will build on the program announced by President Biden last month that matches certain high-enrollment community colleges with partners in the federal pharmacy program to provide vaccination opportunities to students and their communities.
The Challenge also comes on the heels of new federal efforts announced in early May that make it easier and more accessible for Americans across the country to get vaccinated by increasing walk-in vaccinations at local pharmacies; supporting smaller pop-up vaccination clinics and mobile units; providing support for community-based organizations to hire the staff needed to increase vaccine access; investing in education efforts about the vaccine in underserved communities, as well state and local vaccine outreach efforts; increasing vaccine availability and outreach efforts, as well as testing and mitigation, in rural communities; and launching a plan to reach newly eligible individuals age 12-15.
Vaccines.gov can help with finding locations that carry COVID-19 vaccines and their contact information. Because every location handles appointments differently, appointments will need to be scheduled with the location of choice. Register for vaccination in New Mexico at NM Vaccine Registration.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history. CDC recommends getting a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as one is available.
Vaccinations are free. The federal government is providing the vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status.
All Americans are eligible for a free ride to-and-from their vaccine appointments. Additionally, childcare providers are offering free care so parents and caregivers can get vaccinated and recuperate. Visit the incentives page for more details.
If you speak a language other than English or Spanish and need help finding a vaccine provider near you or have general questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, call 1-800-232-0233.