SANTA FE – New Mexico is trying to make it even easier for residents 75 and older to get vaccinated.

The state Health Department announced Monday that people in that age group will no longer need event codes in order to schedule appointments to get their COVID-19 vaccinations. Instead, those who are registered with the state will get invitations and will use their confirmation codes and dates of birth to schedule appointments.

“New Mexico has vaccinated the large majority of our seniors, and we have reached out to nearly all the rest. We expect this change to make it easier for all remaining seniors to get their shots,” Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins said in a statement.

In all, more than one-quarter of New Mexicans have been fully vaccinated. Just over 43% have received their first shots.

Under the state’s vaccine distribution plan, health care workers, nursing home staff and residents, all New Mexicans 75 and older as well as those 60 and older with chronic health conditions are being prioritized. The state is aiming to open up eligibility later this spring as part of a push by the federal government to get more people vaccinated.

The Health Department said vaccination events are being scheduled at senior centers each week in one of the state’s four quadrants. About 5,000 doses per week are distributed through those events.