Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Mexico Department of Health has developed a coordinated response to meet the needs of the Maternal Child Health population. Title V funding was used to support to women, children and their families, and special emphasis was given to pregnant and lactating people, as well as infants who were exposed to or contracted COVID-19. A referral system was set up internally within the Department so that Case Investigators, Contact Tracers, and the Department’s COVID-19 Hotline staff were trained to send referrals over to the MCH Coordinator. In these referrals, the MCH Coordinator provided support and public health guidance, as well as care coordination and resources, to COVID-19 exposed or positive families. Throughout the pandemic, the Family Health Bureau leveraged existing and forged new relationships with various partners. FHB worked with social service agencies, tribal and clinical partners, as well as various community organizations to provide education and support to pregnant people and/or families with young children.
Pregnant people with a COVID-19 infection are at higher risk of severe disease and hospitalization requiring advanced support measures such as intubation and ECMO, as well as death. Additionally, those who do experience severe illness from COVID-19 infection are at higher risk of cesarean section, preterm birth and additional maternal and fetal complications. Black, Indigenous and People of Color experience a disproportionate burden due to COVID-19. Despite these factors, currently available data suggest that a lower proportion of pregnant people have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Although there is robust evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing severe disease and death in pregnant people, qualitative data indicate pregnant people remain apprehensive about their safety.
In response to the pandemic, New Mexico's Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) conducted a 6-month survey to ascertain pregnant persons experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences include barriers to prenatal care, birthing experiences, breastfeeding experiences, infant care, adverse conditions (economic hardship, food insecurity, stressors), and vaccination status.
Furthermore, with the aim to reduce COVID-19 related maternal morbidity and mortality, NMDOH launched a vaccination in pregnancy campaign to increase vaccine uptake in this population. This campaign, developed in coordination with the NM Perinatal Collaborative and community partners, included a Joint Statement for clinical providers, a press release on the safety and efficacy of vaccination in pregnancy, as well as a social media campaign which included a live town hall in English and Spanish.
This session will describe the tailored response of NMDOH staff to assist in the surveillance of pregnant people exposed to and/or infected with COVID-19 in New Mexico. Additionally, an assessment of available COVID-19 vaccine data is being conducted to estimate vaccination coverage in pregnant people, as well as any disparities in race, ethnicity, or geography per the social vulnerability index.
