The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) officially declared on January 7, 2026, its steadfast commitment to maintaining comprehensive childhood vaccination recommendations, despite a controversial decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reduce the national immunization schedule. This move positions New Mexico in direct opposition to federal guidance, which saw the number of universally recommended childhood vaccines slashed from 17 or 18 to just 11. The federal changes, announced on January 5, 2026, by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine critic, reportedly removed several key immunizations from routine, universal childhood recommendations. These include vaccines for COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rotavirus, and hepatitis A and B, reclassifying them under "shared clinical decision-making" or for specific high-risk groups. This decision was made without the traditional input from advisory committees and was widely criticized by medical and public health leaders for not being based on new scientific evidence or safety data. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham strongly condemned the federal shift, stating that the state "will not follow the federal government in walking away from decades of proven public health practice". Dr. Miranda Durham, Chief Medical Officer for NMDOH, reiterated the scientific consensus that vaccines are safe, effective, and crucial for saving children's lives, acknowledging the potential confusion the federal changes might cause parents. Crucially, the NMDOH assured residents that all childhood vaccinations will continue to be fully covered under existing programs, including the Vaccines for Children Program, Medicaid, and private insurance. Furthermore, no changes are anticipated regarding vaccine availability within the state. The department encouraged parents to consult their healthcare providers and adhere to the immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This divergence highlights a significant tension between federal and state health policies regarding childhood immunizations in the United States.