Special Report

COVID-19: States Doing the Best in the Race to Roll Out Vaccines

Evan Comen

Published: February 26, 2021 5:45 am

It has now been 10 weeks since the first shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine were sent out to states, kicking off the largest vaccination campaign in human history. As of Feb. 24, 82,114,370 doses of the vaccine have been sent out across the country — equivalent to 25.1% of the U.S. population.

While the distribution of the vaccine is taking longer than initial federal projections had indicated, some states are faring far better than others. Under the current system, named Operation Warp Speed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sends states limited shipments of the vaccine as well as funding and tasks them with distributing the vaccine in accordance with relatively loose federal guidelines.

Each state has developed its own rollout plan, prioritizing different age groups and classes of essential workers. The mix of policies and logistical challenges across the country has led to wide variations between states in the percentage of vaccines that have been administered.

While nationwide 79.2% of distributed vaccine doses have been administered as of Feb. 24, in Montana 93.3% of vaccine doses have been administered — the largest share of any state. In Arkansas, 68.0% of vaccine doses have been administered, the smallest share of any state.

Differences in vaccine administration from state to state have also led to variations in the percentage of the population that has been vaccinated. In Alaska, the number of administered doses amounts to 32.5% of the population — greater than the national vaccination rate of 19.9% and the largest share of any state. In Alabama, the number of administered doses amounts to 16.7% of the population — the smallest share of any state.

While a majority of Americans remain unvaccinated due to a lack of supply, there are some who have no plans to receive a vaccine at all. According to a survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, 22.7% of U.S. adults 18 and over who have not yet received the vaccine will either probably not or definitely not get a COVID-19 vaccine in the future. The most common reason cited for not wanting a vaccine was being concerned about possible side effects. Other commonly cited reasons include that they were planning to wait and see if it is safe, that other people need it more right now, and not trusting COVID-19 vaccines.

To determine how states are doing with the vaccine rollout, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. States were ranked based on the number of vaccines administered within a state as a percentage of the number of vaccines distributed to that state by the federal government as of Feb. 24. Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 24 came from various state and local health departments and were adjusted for population using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey. Data on the percentage of adults who probably or definitely will not get a COVID-19 vaccine and their reasons for not getting one came from the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, conducted from Feb. 3, 2021 to Feb. 15, 2021.

50. Arkansas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 794,230
> Total vaccines administered within state: 540,192
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 68.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,531 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Arkansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

49. Maryland
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,634,945
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,132,483
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 69.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 6,264 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Maryland where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

48. Mississippi
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 720,795
> Total vaccines administered within state: 505,655
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 70.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,774 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Mississippi where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

47. Kentucky
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,181,375
> Total vaccines administered within state: 851,440
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 72.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,959 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Kentucky where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

46. Pennsylvania
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,268,605
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,381,079
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 72.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,188 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Pennsylvania where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

45. Tennessee
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,562,170
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,139,836
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 73.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,358 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Tennessee where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

44. Kansas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 699,895
> Total vaccines administered within state: 517,379
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 73.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,058 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Kansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

43. Hawaii
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 449,460
> Total vaccines administered within state: 333,599
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 74.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 1,923 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Hawaii where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

42. Alabama
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,084,440
> Total vaccines administered within state: 815,108
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 75.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,029 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Alabama where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

41. Ohio
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,963,035
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,228,732
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 75.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,212 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Ohio where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

40. Delaware
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 247,115
> Total vaccines administered within state: 186,619
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 75.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,841 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Delaware where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

39. California
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 10,168,620
> Total vaccines administered within state: 7,728,120
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 76.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,735 per 100,000

These are all the counties in California where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

38. Indiana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,704,790
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,298,877
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 76.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,833 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Indiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

37. Nebraska
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 514,970
> Total vaccines administered within state: 392,756
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 76.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,355 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Nebraska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

36. Oklahoma
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,173,350
> Total vaccines administered within state: 906,583
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,677 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Oklahoma where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

35. Virginia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,283,165
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,765,927
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 6,680 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Virginia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

34. Rhode Island
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 272,255
> Total vaccines administered within state: 211,660
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,796 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Rhode Island where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

33. Washington
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,920,320
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,493,572
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 4,466 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Washington where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

32. New York
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,836,200
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,772,702
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,176 per 100,000

These are all the counties in New York where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

31. Texas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 6,151,450
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,800,286
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,107 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

30. Alaska
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 304,875
> Total vaccines administered within state: 239,927
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,863 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Alaska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

29. Oregon
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,092,385
> Total vaccines administered within state: 864,960
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 3,666 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

28. Georgia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,369,305
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,880,429
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,450 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Georgia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

27. New Hampshire
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 344,165
> Total vaccines administered within state: 274,267
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 5,474 per 100,000

These are all the counties in New Hampshire where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

26. Florida
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,483,265
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,406,005
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,853 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

25. Illinois
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,005,345
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,416,034
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,256 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Illinois where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

24. Louisiana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,127,670
> Total vaccines administered within state: 907,334
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,162 per 100,000

These are all the parishes in Louisiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

23. Vermont
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 178,620
> Total vaccines administered within state: 144,085
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 2,358 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Vermont where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

22. Michigan
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,448,580
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,985,511
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 6,415 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Michigan where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

21. Wyoming
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 167,025
> Total vaccines administered within state: 136,163
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,345 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Wyoming where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

20. North Carolina
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,591,415
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,118,218
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,182 per 100,000

These are all the counties in North Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

19. Iowa
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 746,475
> Total vaccines administered within state: 614,928
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,586 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

18. Nevada
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 719,880
> Total vaccines administered within state: 598,423
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,625 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Nevada where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

17. New Jersey
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,114,690
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,759,059
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,703 per 100,000

These are all the counties in New Jersey where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

16. South Carolina
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,122,765
> Total vaccines administered within state: 941,136
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,012 per 100,000

These are all the counties in South Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

15. Maine
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 355,310
> Total vaccines administered within state: 299,427
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 84.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 3,280 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Maine where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

14. Utah
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 723,510
> Total vaccines administered within state: 611,048
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 84.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,661 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

13. Missouri
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,315,095
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,110,913
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 84.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,775 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Missouri where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

12. South Dakota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 278,670
> Total vaccines administered within state: 237,230
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,262 per 100,000

These are all the counties in South Dakota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

11. Massachusetts
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,747,380
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,500,077
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,315 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Massachusetts where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

10. Arizona
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,755,635
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,525,794
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 86.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,322 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

9. Minnesota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,345,050
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,170,259
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 87.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,569 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Minnesota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

8. Colorado
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,417,245
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,233,466
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 87.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,437 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Colorado where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

7. Connecticut
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,025,755
> Total vaccines administered within state: 892,882
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 87.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,786 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Connecticut where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

6. Idaho
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 388,815
> Total vaccines administered within state: 340,444
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 87.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,707 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

5. Wisconsin
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,401,205
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,259,647
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 89.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,655 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Wisconsin where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

4. North Dakota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 217,480
> Total vaccines administered within state: 196,576
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 90.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 13,095 per 100,000

These are all the counties in North Dakota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

3. West Virginia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 512,865
> Total vaccines administered within state: 470,643
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 91.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,220 per 100,000

These are all the counties in West Virginia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

2. New Mexico
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 660,415
> Total vaccines administered within state: 612,496
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 92.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,771 per 100,000

These are all the counties in New Mexico where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

1. Montana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 260,385
> Total vaccines administered within state: 243,015
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 93.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,342 per 100,000

These are all the counties in Montana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.