Special Report

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

Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images

It has now been 13 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 Mar. 17, 147,590,615 doses of the vaccine have been sent out across the country — equivalent to 45.0% 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 76.6% of distributed vaccine doses have been administered as of Mar. 17, in North Dakota 88.6% of vaccine doses have been administered — the largest share of any state. In Alabama, 65.5% 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 47.3% of the population — greater than the national vaccination rate of 34.4% and the largest share of any state. In Georgia, the number of administered doses amounts to 26.5% 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, 24.9% 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 Mar. 17. Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Mar. 17 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. 17, 2021 to Mar. 1, 2021.

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50. Alabama
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,080,870
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,363,987
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 65.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,391 per 100,000

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

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

49. Georgia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,284,205
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,814,158
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 65.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,782 per 100,000

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

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

48. Kansas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,371,785
> Total vaccines administered within state: 931,281
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 67.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,260 per 100,000

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

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

47. Arkansas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,336,570
> Total vaccines administered within state: 912,660
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 68.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,862 per 100,000

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

volvob12b / Flickr

46. Alaska
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 499,625
> Total vaccines administered within state: 345,987
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 69.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,329 per 100,000

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

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

45. Mississippi
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,314,855
> Total vaccines administered within state: 921,413
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 70.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,134 per 100,000

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

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

44. Tennessee
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,823,060
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,007,555
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 71.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,655 per 100,000

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

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

43. Oklahoma
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,132,425
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,519,597
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 71.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,937 per 100,000

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

RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

42. Texas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 12,080,835
> Total vaccines administered within state: 8,850,377
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 73.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,402 per 100,000

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

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

41. Florida
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 9,981,955
> Total vaccines administered within state: 7,332,554
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 73.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,261 per 100,000

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

f11photo / Getty Images

40. Louisiana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,062,360
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,519,050
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 73.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,443 per 100,000

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

iip-photo-archive / Flickr

39. Missouri
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,623,475
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,939,762
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 73.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,895 per 100,000

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

choness / Getty Images

38. California
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 17,612,260
> Total vaccines administered within state: 13,161,027
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 74.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,940 per 100,000

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

mdgmorris / Getty Images

37. Delaware
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 461,335
> Total vaccines administered within state: 346,179
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 75.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,358 per 100,000

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

FilippoBacci / Getty Images

36. New York
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 8,921,845
> Total vaccines administered within state: 6,700,442
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 75.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,994 per 100,000

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

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

35. Ohio
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,173,835
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,928,456
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 75.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,501 per 100,000

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

pawel.gaul / Getty Images

34. Michigan
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,357,770
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,310,710
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 76.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 6,812 per 100,000

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

maximkabb / iStock

33. Hawaii
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 735,390
> Total vaccines administered within state: 559,118
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 76.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 2,007 per 100,000

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

4nadia / Getty Images

32. Oregon
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,851,555
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,414,113
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 76.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 3,800 per 100,000

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

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

31. Pennsylvania
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,860,715
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,491,125
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 76.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,606 per 100,000

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

Cliff / Wikimedia Commons

30. Wyoming
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 278,515
> Total vaccines administered within state: 214,015
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 76.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,581 per 100,000

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

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

29. Vermont
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 318,720
> Total vaccines administered within state: 246,663
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 2,741 per 100,000

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

Davel5957 / Getty Images

28. Maryland
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,671,490
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,082,976
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 6,544 per 100,000

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

knowlesgallery / Getty Images

27. Idaho
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 726,515
> Total vaccines administered within state: 566,777
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,874 per 100,000

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

Davel5957 / Getty Images

26. Indiana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,817,710
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,206,988
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,018 per 100,000

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

f11photo / Getty Images

25. Colorado
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,536,780
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,987,533
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,722 per 100,000

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

peeterv / Getty Images

24. Montana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 517,205
> Total vaccines administered within state: 406,867
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,589 per 100,000

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

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

23. New Hampshire
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 607,415
> Total vaccines administered within state: 478,758
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 5,837 per 100,000

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

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

22. South Carolina
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,089,905
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,649,023
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,412 per 100,000

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

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

21. Illinois
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,664,615
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,469,795
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,578 per 100,000

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

aiisha5 / iStock

20. Washington
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,427,310
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,705,839
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 4,623 per 100,000

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

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

19. North Carolina
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,596,440
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,630,467
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,479 per 100,000

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

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

18. West Virginia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 879,575
> Total vaccines administered within state: 695,358
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,607 per 100,000

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

f11photo / Getty Images

17. Nevada
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,302,310
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,034,347
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,744 per 100,000

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

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

16. Kentucky
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,953,155
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,582,305
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,364 per 100,000

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

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

15. Rhode Island
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 496,165
> Total vaccines administered within state: 403,044
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 12,478 per 100,000

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

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

14. Nebraska
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 873,070
> Total vaccines administered within state: 712,099
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,609 per 100,000

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

Dreamframer / Getty Images

13. Arizona
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,299,085
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,697,523
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,463 per 100,000

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

EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images

12. South Dakota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 469,175
> Total vaccines administered within state: 384,987
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,501 per 100,000

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

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

11. Maine
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 636,990
> Total vaccines administered within state: 528,359
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 3,540 per 100,000

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

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

10. Virginia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,643,465
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,027,633
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,012 per 100,000

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

Scruggelgreen / Getty Images

9. Minnesota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,494,350
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,080,648
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,865 per 100,000

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

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

8. Connecticut
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,774,555
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,483,587
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,255 per 100,000

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

pabradyphoto / Getty Images

7. Iowa
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,377,395
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,155,384
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,900 per 100,000

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

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

6. New Jersey
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,878,855
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,254,946
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,557 per 100,000

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

Bill_Dally / iStock

5. Utah
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,248,930
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,052,347
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 84.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,846 per 100,000

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

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

4. Wisconsin
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,542,555
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,160,948
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,802 per 100,000

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

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

3. Massachusetts
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,159,090
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,710,203
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,798 per 100,000

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

ferrantraite / Getty Images

2. New Mexico
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,131,335
> Total vaccines administered within state: 983,709
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 87.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,009 per 100,000

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

csfotoimages / Getty Images

1. North Dakota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 367,000
> Total vaccines administered within state: 325,202
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 88.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 13,291 per 100,000

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

Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.

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