FDA approval clears path for new COVID vaccines

Federal officials approved updated COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday, clearing the way for distribution at New Mexico pharmacies and health clinics.

Unknown is whether the vaccines will be available soon enough to blunt a late-summer spike in COVID-19 cases.

Data collected by the New Mexico Department of Health shows that transmission of the viral illness is at its highest level since winter, said Miranda Durham, the agency’s chief medical officer.

“I think what we’ve really seen over the last couple of years is two peaks — one in the winter and then one kind of in the late summer,” Durham said Wednesday.

“Here in New Mexico, we are seeing our highest level since last winter,” Durham said.

National data suggests that COVID activity in the U.S. may have peaked, but it may be too early to know, she said.

During the week of Aug. 9-15, 1,013 cases of COVID-19 were reported in New Mexico, according to DOH data. And 18 New Mexicans were admitted to a hospital for the illness from Aug. 6-12.

The new shots are designed to better protect people from the virus that constantly evolves to evade our immune systems.

The Food and Drug Administration action grants emergency use authorization for mRNA shots manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna that target the KP.2 variant now widely in circulation, the FDA said in its announcement Thursday.

“Vaccination continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19 prevention,” said Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

“Given waning immunity of the population from previous exposure to the virus and from prior vaccination, we strongly encourage those who are eligible to consider receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine,” Marks said in the announcement.

Distribution of the vaccines is expected to follow FDA approval and soon become widely available in New Mexico pharmacies.

“Once FDA approves those doses, we’ll be ready to launch fairly quickly,” Durham said. The updated vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older.

New Mexico pharmacies provided at least 60% of the COVID vaccines in 2023, Durham said.

COVID shots are available at no cost to people with Medicaid, Medicare Part B or private health insurance. For people who lack insurance, the Department of Health will offer some vaccinations at no cost at the state’s public health clinics, she said.

Durham recommended getting an annual flu shot in addition to the COVID vaccination.

“Really, people should get both of them at the same time,” Durham said. “Make it easy.”

The determination of an increase in COVID transmission rates in New Mexico is based on laboratory test results, emergency department visits and steep rises in wastewater levels of the virus that causes COVID-19, the Health Department said in a written statement.

Transmission has been highest in the Albuquerque metro area, and the northwest and northeast areas of New Mexico, the statement said.

COVID hospitalizations have shown a gradual increase, particularly for older New Mexicans, but remain below levels of spring 2023, the agency said.

Anyone with questions about COVID vaccines, including help scheduling a vaccination, can call the NMHealth Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773).