New Mexico Department of Health

Under new federal recommendations, it is now up to parents to decide to give their infants the hepatitis B vaccine when their mothers have tested negative for the virus.

The New Mexico Department of Health announced Monday that it “continues to strongly recommend” hepatitis B vaccinations for all newborns. The announcement comes after federal guidance issued Friday that it’s not necessary if the mother tests negative for the virus.

The Psilocybin Advisory Board will hold its first public meeting on Friday, a major step towards full implementation of the state’s medical psilocybin program. New Mexico is just the third state to legalize the drug associated with magic mushrooms to treat conditions like end-of-life anxiety and substance use disorder.

It’s that time of year again where respiratory diseases like COVID-19, the flu, and RSV are spreading. The New Mexico Department of Health is urging folks to get shots in arms in order to prevent the most serious and dangerous symptoms of these three seasonal respiratory diseases.

New Mexico is officially clear of the measles outbreak that began February 14. That’s the word from the state’s Department of Health.

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths of older New Mexicans, according to a Department of Health report released Tuesday. The new report looked at data from 2019 to 2023, and found although mortality from falls decreased by 41% during that time, from 347 deaths to 213, hospitalizations increased.

Opioid overdoses have spiked dramatically in parts of Northern New Mexico according to the Department of Health. Testing revealed significantly increased fentanyl levels are the likely culprits. Overdoses increased by 48% in Rio Arriba County, 104% in Santa Fe County and 340% in Taos County from July through September of this year compared to the same period last year.

The New Mexico Department of Health announced last week a public health order aimed at expanding access to the COVID vaccine. On Friday NMDOH and the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy released updated protocols and recommendations in order to ensure as many people as possible have easy access to the vaccines.

State officials presented Wednesday to lawmakers details on a pilot program that will dispense medications for treating substance use disorder at public health offices. The New Mexico Department of Health has already been providing prescriptions to be filled elsewhere, but this is the first time they will be offering the medications themselves.

The New Mexico Department of Health announced Thursday a dog in Grant County tested positive for rabies. It’s the eighth animal in the state with a confirmed case this year. Although rabies is uncommon, it’s still one of the deadliest known viruses.