Schools
The New Mexico Statewide Immunization Information System (NMSIIS) is an excellent tool for school nurses and school administrators across New Mexico. On this page, school nurses and school administrators can find school immunization requirements, read about the process for requesting a vaccine exemption, and learn about our exciting new public portal. Training, resources, and additional opportunities to learn about New Mexico’s IIS are also available. Because our children’s well-being is so important to New Mexico, it is vital that school nurses and school administrators are supported in keeping our children safe and healthy!
VaxView
vaxview.doh.nm.gov enables individuals, parents, and guardians to access, save and/or print official immunization records. This eliminates the need to carry multiple or aged documents and allows you to access your shot record anytime you need. vaxview.doh.nm.gov is mobile friendly and uses two-factor authentication.
School Immunization Requirements
New Mexico requires children entering day care and school to have certain immunizations completed. The publications below provide comprehensive details on these requirements.
- School & Daycare Immunization Requirements 2024-2025 (English)
- School & Daycare Immunization Requirements 2024-2025 (Spanish)
- School & Daycare Immunization Schedule Letter 2024-2025
AMENDMENT: Children under 18 months with 2 polio vaccines should be allowed to attend child care centers and pre-schools.
The New Mexico Childcare/Pre-school/School Entry Immunization Requirements for 2018-19 have an inconsistency with the ACIP Childhood Immunization Schedule. Most infants receive the third dose of polio vaccine at their 6-month visit; however, some providers administer the third dose as late as 18 months. The ACIP schedule allows for the third dose to be given between 6 and 18 months of age. Therefore, children 6 to 18 months must have 2 doses of polio vaccine, not 3 as stated on the New Mexico Immunization Requirements.
Exemptions from School and Daycare Immunization Requirements
The New Mexico Immunization Exemption Statute (24-5-3) allows only two types of exemptions for children seeking exemption from required immunizations to enter school, childcare or pre-school. The two exemptions are medical or religious. If there is a medical reason for exempting, a signed medical exemption must be obtained from a duly-licensed physician attesting that the required immunization(s) would endanger the life of the child. If there is a religious reason for exempting, the child’s parent/guardian must ask an officer of the church to write a letter on your behalf stating that you are a member of the church, and the church uses prayer or spiritual means alone for healing; or if access to a church officer is not possible, then the child’s parent/guardian must complete the Certificate of Exemption Form. The form requires a statement of the religious reasons for requesting to have a child exempted from immunization.
The law does not grant immunization exemptions for philosophical or personal reasons.
Once a completed, notarized, original Certificate of Exemption Form is filed with the Department of Health, the Department has up to sixty days to notify the parent/guardian if the request is approved or denied. If approved, the parent/guardian will receive two copies of the original form with a clear “Approved” box checked, a signature from an officer of the Department, and an expiration date. The parent/guardian must take the Approved form to the child’s school. If denied, the parent/guardian will receive a letter from the Department of Health explaining that the request is denied, and that the parent/guardian has the right to file an appeal with the Department of Health Cabinet Secretary. A process for appeal will also be included.
To request an exemption, complete the following form:
- Certificate of Exemption from Immunization (English)
- Certificate of Exemption from Immunization (Spanish)
Gatekeeper Training
The Gatekeeper Training is for school personnel to learn how to assess student's immunization records. Visit the Gatekeeper Training page to get started online.
To access the courses, you will need to create an account in TRAIN New Mexico. For further instructions, please click on the link below NMSIIS How to Create an Account on TRAIN NM. After accessing the TRAIN NM site, search for the Gatekeeper Training using Course ID 1111941.
Addressing Concerns about Vaccines and Autism
Due to media exposure of two flawed medical papers, there is rampant misinformation about vaccines and autism. Parents and guardians need resources to address their questions about this topic. There is no evidence of vaccines causing autism.
Here are some resources for providers, parents, and guardians to get more information:
- Evidence Shows Vaccines Unrelated to Autism
- Vaccines and Autism: What You Should Know
- MMR Vaccine Does Not Cause Autism
- Need Help Responding to Vaccine-Hesitant Parents?
- Vaccine Resources to Share with Parents
Training
Please visit the NMSIIS Training page for more information on becoming a NMSIIS user.
General
Please see the NMSIIS Schools Frequently Asked Questions document for more information.