Vaccines and Screenings
Students ages 5 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Please screen for symptoms before heading to school each day.
Vaccine Updates
- Register and make an appointment with the Department of Health.
- Parents don't need to accompany students to vaccination sites, but they do need to sign a waiver. Download the consent form:
- NMDOH Parent Guardian Consent for Minor to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine (PDF)
- Documento de Consentimiento para que Padres o Tutores Autoricen la Administración de la Vacuna Contra la COVID-19 (PDF)
- Download a PDF of this document in Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Kinyarwanda, Chinese, Swahili, or Vietnamese
- Fill out the consent form, print, sign, and bring it to the vaccine appointment.
- Bring your COVID-19 vaccination card (2nd shots and boosters) to shot clinics
- Vaccines, but not boosters, are available for children ages 5-11.
- New Mexicans who are 12 and older are eligible for the booster as long as they received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine at least two months ago or the second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine five months ago.
- Most Children and All Teens Can Get COVID-19 Vaccines: Information provided by the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention
- All school workers in New Mexico must provide proof they are fully vaccinated, including a booster shot if eligible, or participate in weekly surveillance testing beginning Jan. 17, 2022
Test to Stay
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated APS employees identified as close contacts are required to test throughout the 5-day* quarantine period and attend work (unless symptomatic). APS employees must test at least 2 times a minimum of 24-48 hours apart during the quarantine period. It is recommended for vaccinated close contacts to test 5 days after the most recent exposure (not required).
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated students identified as close contacts have the option to test in order to attend school or they must quarantine at home during the 5-day* quarantine period. Students must test at least 2 times a minimum of 24-48 hours apart during the quarantine period. It is recommended for vaccinated close contacts to test 5 days after the most recent exposure (not required).
At-home test kits accompanied by the district's testing assurance form are acceptable for testing during required quarantine period. At-home kits provided by a school/work site and/or other at-home test kits may be used. School administration/department supervisors can provide access to at-home test kits while supplies last.
*Unvaccinated close contacts of COVID-19 positive household members can attend school/work if testing throughout 10 days of quarantine; refer to the following testing schedule.
- Unvaccinated/partially vaccinated individual shall take 3 tests at least 24 hours apart during the positive household member's 5-day infectious period
- Unvaccinated/partially vaccinated individual shall take 3 tests at least 24 hours apart during the 5 days of quarantine (5 days post positive household member's 5-day infectious period)
When to Stay Home
Students or staff experiencing COVID symptoms are asked to isolate and test for COVID-19.
Symptom Checker
Isolate if you have one of the following symptoms:
- cough
- shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- olfactory disorder (loss of smell) taste disorder (loss of taste) confusion or
- change in mental status
- persistent chest pain/pressure pale, gray, or blue-colored skin/lips/nail beds
- inability to stay awake
Isolate if you have two or more of the following symptoms:
- fever
- chills
- rigors
- myalgia
- headache
- sore throat
- nausea/vomiting
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- congestion/runny nose
Please Remember:
- Remain socially distanced to the greatest extent possible.
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.
- If you feel sick, stay home or ask to see the school nurse or administrator.
- If you are a close contact and unvaccinated, you must quarantine for 5 days from your most recent exposure unless you qualify for the Test to Stay Program.
- If you are symptomatic, but not a close contact, you must self isolate and are encouraged to test. You may return to school before the full 5 days of isolation with proof of a negative PCR test.