Vaccinating Children in New Mexico

In Focus: Vaccination Rates

A measles outbreak in several states has been in the headlines for weeks. That got us thinking about the risks in New Mexico if measles shows up here. While looking in to the vaccination rates, we discovered that most New Mexicans are vaccinating their children but there are some concerns about whether the state will be able to maintain a high vaccination rate in the future.

NMiF producer Sarah Gustavus discusses the issue with Dr. Melissa Martinez, a pediatrician and professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the UNM School of Medicine. Dr. Martinez is also the co-chair of the Immunization Practices Advisory Council and a former president of the New Mexico Academy of Family Physicians.

 Resources:

Senate Bill 121: Vaccine Purchasing Act
CDC: Vaccine Safety
New Mexico Department of Health: Immunization Program

Web Extra: Koplik Spots 

Albuquerque resident Sara Koplik (Director of Community Outreach for the Jewish Federation of New Mexico) tells us how her great-grandfather discovered a symptom that signals a patient has measles before they show other symptoms.