SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico ranks as third in the U.S. when it comes to vaccine distribution, having boosted the number of vaccines given daily by more than 20% over the past two weeks, state health officials said Wednesday.
State Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins said during an online briefing that about 7% of New Mexicans are fully vaccinated with their first and second shots. That’s more than double the figure from two weeks ago.
In all, more than 450,000 shots have been administered in New Mexico while 628,000 people have registered to be vaccinated.
Collins called it a supply and demand mismatch, saying the state will not be able to expand eligibility until more doses are shipped. The state’s allocation has been growing in recent weeks and is expected to reach more than 72,500 next week, she said.
The state’s vaccine dashboard also now provides details about vaccination rates based on race, ethnicity and age. It shows higher vaccination rates among those 75 and older and among those who are Native American.
Collins reiterated Wednesday that the goal is to distribute shots as equitably as possible, with the focus being those who are most vulnerable as a way to prevent more deaths.
The seven-day average case total has been trending downward over recent weeks. Just over 280 newly confirmed cases were reported Wednesday, brining the statewide total to 181,332 since the pandemic began last year. The death toll stands at 3,562.
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