New Mexico Relaxes Mask Rules For The Fully Vaccinated – Associated Press New Mexico has adopted guidance on facemasks from the Centers for Disease Control
Associated Press
New Mexico is now administering the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 to children ages 12 to 15, as state health officials pushed Thursday for more people to get vaccinated.
The move by the state Health Department follows authorizations this week by the federal Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The state is encouraging families to register children on its vaccine website.
The expanded availability applies only to the Pfizer vaccine, which until now was only available to people ages 16 and older. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for people 18 and older.
State officials say more than half of eligible residents are now considered fully vaccinated.
Navajo Nation reports 14 new COVID-19 cases and 1 more death
May 13, 2021 GMT
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported 14 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and one additional death.
It was the first reported coronavirus-related death in four days.
Tribal health officials said the latest figures pushed the total number of cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago to 30,677 on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
The known death toll now is 1,286.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said more than half of the reservation’s adult population has been vaccinated, but people still need to stay home as much as possible, wear masks and avoid large gatherings.
FARMINGTON The Indian Health Service has started giving shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to adolescents ages 12-15.
The IHS posted on its Facebook page on May 12 that its facilities can vaccinate those who are ages 12 and older with the Pfizer vaccine. The action follows approvals from the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week. Check with your local IHS, tribal health program or urban Indian health program for more information, the post stated.
Brian Johnson, acting deputy director of the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, said on May 13 that the IHS headquarters gave the greenlight for facilities to distribute the vaccine, an action that providers had been anticipating.