NMDOH details COVID-19 guidance for immunocompromised people

Jonathan Fjeld

SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico Department of Health announced Wednesday an enhanced set of recommendations for immunocompromised New Mexicans.

NMDOH is offering immunocompromised people expanded access to treatments while also recommending they continue to wear a mask and get the forthcoming booster.

The recommendation also applies to transplant recipients and those actively being treated for cancer.

NMDOH describes moderately or severely immunocompromised people as having one or more of these factors:

They are receiving active chemotherapy or radiation for tumors or blood cancers
They have received an organ transplant and are taking anti-rejection medication
They have received a stem cell transplant within the last two years
They have a primary immunodeficiency syndrome, such as DiGeorge syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
They have advanced or untreated HIV
They are taking high dose corticosteroids, such as more than 20 mg of prednisone each day or medicines like methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. Some other immune-suppressing medications may qualify.

Individuals should talk to their doctor or call the COVID-19 hotline at 1-855-600-3453, NMDOH says, to determine if their medications qualify them for a fourth dose.