vaccine distrust

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.

In the race for herd immunity, New Mexico is being heralded around the country as an unlikely frontrunner. Over half of the state’s population has gotten…