Staff report
New Mexico is experiencing a significant increase in measles cases in 2025, with 71 cases reported across five counties: Chaves, Curry, Doña Ana, Eddy, and Lea. In response, residents are getting vaccinated in record numbers. From the start of February through May 12, 27,123 New Mexicans received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, roughly double the number of vaccinations administered during the same period last year.
“The MMR vaccine remains the best tool against the measles virus, and the ever-growing number of New Mexicans getting it speaks to their desire to slow the ongoing outbreak,” said Andrea Romero, manager of the immunization program in the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH).
Measles symptoms, which can appear 7 to 21 days after exposure, include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a red spotted rash that typically starts on the head or face and spreads downward.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms or suspecting measles exposure is advised to call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) for guidance in English and Spanish. Residents should also contact their doctor or the emergency department to inform them of their concerns before visiting.
The NMDOH is offering daily walk-in MMR vaccinations at the following public health offices with no appointments needed until further notice:
- Artesia (Eddy County) Public Health Office, 1001 Memorial Dr. (575) 746-9819.
- Carlsbad (Eddy County) Public Health Office, 1306 W. Stevens St. (575) 885-4191.
- Clovis (Curry County) Public Health Office, 1216 Cameo St. (575) 763-5583.
- Hobbs (Lea County) Public Health Office, 1923 N. Dal Paso St. (575) 397-2463.
- Lovington (Lea County) Public Health Office, 302 N. 5th St. (575) 396-2853.
- Portales (Roosevelt County) Public Health Office, 1513 W. Fir St. (575) 356-4453.
- Roswell (Chaves County) Public Health Office, 200 East Chisum Street. (575)-624-6050.
- Ruidoso (Lincoln County) Public Health Office, 117 Kansas City Rd. (575) 258-3252.
- Tucumcari (Quay County) Public Health Office, 310 S. 2nd St. (575) 461-2610.
More information about measles in English and Spanish can be found on the NMDOH website: http://measles.doh.nm.gov/.
I suppose no one is informed that the places that are distributing free measles vaccines are the places with the biggest outbreaks. Strange that. We all used to get measles. Deaths were uncommon. Now that the measles vaccines have been subjected to gof procedures, the disease is more severe. What’s next? And why does no one question anything anymore?
You want people to question? OK– I’m questioning your contention that measles is now more severe. I know of absolutely no evidence for that. Measles has always caused long-term complications for some who get it, and it causes “immune amnesia” for all– it destroys immunity against diseases the person had previously, and it takes 2-3 years to build up that immunity again, leaving the person, usually a child, more vulnerable to all other illnesses during that time.
Measles vaccines are not new and have not been “subjected to gof procedures”– you are confusing what you’ve read or heard about gain of function processes in research on other viruses with the same old, dependable measles vaccines.
And it’s very obvious that the reason DOH is distributing free measles vaccines in those areas is BECAUSE those are the places with the outbreaks! You are confusing cause with effect.
“We all used to get measles” has not been true since the 1950s. Since then, vaccines have prevented most children from getting it. There is no other factor to explain the change. And it’s very clear that the outbreaks are occurring in places with less vaccination.
Deaths may have been uncommon, but damage was not. And if your own child died from an easily preventable illness, I’m not sure why you would think that was acceptable.
Stop the nonsense, the disinformation. Get vaccinated.
Perhaps Ms Noel can explain how vaccinations taken after the start of the outbreak caused that outbreak. A bit of information, such as the rates of unvaccinated people (96%) v. vaccinated people (4%) developing measles, might shed greater light on the cause of the outbreak.