New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) officials hoped the rate of vaccinated residents in Eddy County would exceed 50 percent by October.

As of Friday morning, DOH stated 46 percent of Eddy County residents had received a complete course of COVID-19 vaccinations and 56 percent had at received at least one dose. 

New Mexico Deputy Cabinet Secretary of Health Dr. Laura Chanchien Parajon said if 1,500 more residents received the vaccination this month, the County would reach the 50 percent full vaccination mark.

More:City of Carlsbad update: City asks State for more COVID-19 testing site

“We’ll get close in October. Probably mid-October if we go at this rate,” she said.

Acting DOH Secretary Dr. David Scrase said the State had seen a 0.9 percent increase in adults 18 and over receiving vaccinations per week.

Seventy-nine percent of New Mexicans reported have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 69 percent reported receiving the complete vaccine course as of Friday, DOH data indicated.

DOH announced vaccination clinic increases in Carlsbad and Artesia. Unvaccinated Carlsbad area residents may stop by the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts Center Annex from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday and Friday.

Vaccinations are offered from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday at the Eddy County Public Health Office in Artesia.