SANTA FE, NM – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is today recommending that certain persons who received any type of injection related service, including a vampire facial, at the VIP Spa (located at 809 Tijeras Avenue, NW Suite B, Albuquerque) come to the Midtown Public Health Office located at 2400 Wellesley Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 this week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C lab testing and counseling.

“It is very important that anyone who received a vampire facial or other injection related service at the VIP Spa in May or June of 2018 come to the Midtown Public Health Office for free and confidential lab testing and counseling,” said Lynn Gallagher, NMDOH Cabinet Secretary.

During an inspection of the VIP Spa by the NMDOH and the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Barbers and Cosmetologists Board on Friday evening, September 7, practices were identified at the spa that could potentially spread blood-borne infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C to clients. The VIP Spa was issued a cease and desist letter by the Board, and closed immediately. The inspection was undertaken because a client of the VIP Spa developed an infection that may have resulted from a procedure performed by the VIP Spa.

For questions about NMDOH free and confidential lab testing and counseling services for clients of the VIP Spa please contact the Midtown Public Health Office at (505) 670-8615 during regular business hours. After 5:00 p.m. or on weekends contact (505) 827-0006.