SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The state Department of Health reports an improvement in immunization rates for teenagers.
About 81 percent of New Mexicans from ages 13 to 17 were covered last year by a vaccine protecting against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. That's up from 72 percent in 2010 and it's higher than the national rate of 78 percent.
The department offers free immunizations at public health clinics for children in families without health insurance.
Nearly 71 percent of New Mexico's teenagers had the vaccine against chickenpox last year, up from 56 percent in 2010. New Mexico was above the national coverage rate of 68 percent in 2011.
Meningococcal vaccine coverage was almost 65 percent last year, up from 53 percent in 2010 but below the national rate of 70 percent.
