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Health council hears concerns about clinic vaccine access and state public‑health staffing gaps
Summary
Clinic staff and council members reported increased clinic demand, absence of a staffed public-health office locally, and that clinical partners are sending patients to school‑based or regional clinics because local clinic cannot store vaccines; members asked the county to request DOH data and vaccination statistics for a future presentation.
Clinic and social‑services staff informed the Los Alamos Health Council that local public‑health staffing shortages have affected vaccine availability and routine public‑health services.
Leticia, a clinic staffer, said the clinic has been very busy since Department of Health (DOH) staff left the local public‑health office. "We don't have vaccines here," she said, adding that the clinic operates part‑time and cannot carry vaccines that require continuous temperature monitoring; the clinic refers children to a school‑based clinic and regional providers when vaccines are needed.
Joyce reported that the hospital led drive‑through flu clinics and gave over 700 vaccines across two clinics after a delayed shipment. Council members and staff said multiple public‑health nurse vacancies across the state have reduced DOH capacity at local offices.
Jessica Strong suggested inviting Jeremy Espinosa from the DOH Santa Fe office to present epidemiological data (vaccination rates, public‑health metrics) at a future meeting so the council can better understand local vaccination coverage and staffing constraints.
Council members urged staff to clarify where routine vaccinations and public‑health services are available in the short term and requested a data‑driven presentation from DOH.
