New Mexico Defies Federal Overhaul, Maintains Full Childhood Vaccine Recommendations Amid National Controversy

SANTA FE, N.M. — January 8, 2026 — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) announced it will continue recommending the full slate of childhood vaccinations, directly rejecting a controversial federal decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to scale back routine recommendations for healthy children.

The HHS move, announced on January 5, 2026, reduces the number of diseases for which vaccines are universally recommended from 17 to 11. Vaccines for influenza (flu), rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, and others—including COVID-19—have been shifted to “shared clinical decision-making” status or limited to high-risk groups. This overhaul, directed by President Donald Trump and overseen by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aims to align U.S. policy more closely with certain peer nations like Denmark, which recommend fewer routine shots.

Federal officials framed the change as a way to rebuild public trust by focusing on “the most essential” protections and citing “unknown risks” associated with broader vaccination. They emphasized that all vaccines recommended as of late 2025 remain fully covered by insurance, including through the Vaccines for Children Program, Medicaid, and private plans under the Affordable Care Act, with no immediate changes to availability.

However, the decision has sparked intense backlash from medical organizations and public health experts. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly opposed the changes, calling them unprecedented and warning they could lead to lower vaccination rates, increased outbreaks of preventable diseases, and unnecessary risks to children. Pediatricians and infectious disease specialists argue the previous schedule—reflected in the 2025 AAP guidelines provided here—was based on decades of safety data and has dramatically reduced childhood illnesses in the U.S.

Critics, including some Republican lawmakers like Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), described the overhaul as lacking scientific input and potentially eroding confidence in vaccines. Supporters, including Kennedy, hailed it as “common sense” reform responsive to parental concerns.

In response, NMDOH stated it will adhere to the comprehensive recommendations outlined in the AAP’s 2025 Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. “All childhood vaccinations continue to be covered under the Vaccines for Children Program, Medicaid, and private insurance,” the department said in its advisory. “There is no anticipated change to vaccine availability in New Mexico.”

NMDOH encouraged parents and caregivers to consult their healthcare providers and use the AAP schedule as a guide. New Mexicans seeking vaccinations can contact their provider or call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773).

New Mexico’s stance marks a rare state-level break from federal guidance on childhood immunizations, prioritizing established medical consensus amid a polarized national debate. Other states have not yet announced similar positions, but public health officials nationwide are monitoring potential impacts on vaccination rates.

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