Special Report

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

Evan Comen

Published: April 2, 2021 5:45 am

It has now been 15 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. 31, 195,581,725 doses of the vaccine have been sent out across the country — equivalent to 59.6% 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 76.8% of distributed vaccine doses have been administered as of Mar. 31, in North Dakota 89.0% of vaccine doses have been administered — the largest share of any state. In Alabama, 61.8% 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 New Mexico, the number of administered doses amounts to 60.0% of the population — greater than the national vaccination rate of 45.8% and the largest share of any state. In Alabama, the number of administered doses amounts to 35.3% 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, 26.3% 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. 31. Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Mar. 31 came from various state and local health departments and were adjusted for population using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 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 Mar. 3, 2021 to Mar. 15, 2021.

50. Alabama
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,796,630
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,728,736
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 61.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,496 per 100,000

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

49. Georgia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,777,435
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,855,859
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 66.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,950 per 100,000

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

48. Arkansas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,763,540
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,183,295
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 67.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,935 per 100,000

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

47. Alaska
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 601,225
> Total vaccines administered within state: 407,233
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 67.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,162 per 100,000

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

46. Mississippi
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,698,485
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,158,505
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 68.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,243 per 100,000

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

45. Wyoming
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 378,565
> Total vaccines administered within state: 262,406
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 69.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,709 per 100,000

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

44. Tennessee
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,804,790
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,655,309
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 69.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,856 per 100,000

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

43. Missouri
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,502,935
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,524,827
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 72.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,390 per 100,000

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

42. Oklahoma
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,677,545
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,930,169
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 72.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,068 per 100,000

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

41. Texas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 16,084,645
> Total vaccines administered within state: 11,604,088
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 72.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,573 per 100,000

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

40. Louisiana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,719,670
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,963,625
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 72.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,549 per 100,000

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

39. Kansas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,787,305
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,290,992
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 72.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,361 per 100,000

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

38. Florida
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 13,153,105
> Total vaccines administered within state: 9,563,326
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 72.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,356 per 100,000

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

37. Hawaii
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 962,590
> Total vaccines administered within state: 705,568
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 73.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 2,012 per 100,000

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

36. South Carolina
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,868,095
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,150,462
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 75.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,639 per 100,000

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

35. Michigan
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,889,820
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,419,793
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 75.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,339 per 100,000

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

34. Oregon
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,449,855
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,854,126
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 75.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 3,892 per 100,000

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

33. Ohio
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 6,921,325
> Total vaccines administered within state: 5,295,592
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 76.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,667 per 100,000

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

32. West Virginia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,136,405
> Total vaccines administered within state: 874,459
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 76.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,867 per 100,000

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

31. California
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 23,660,110
> Total vaccines administered within state: 18,223,412
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,021 per 100,000

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

30. Montana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 677,495
> Total vaccines administered within state: 522,897
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,746 per 100,000

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

29. North Carolina
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 6,053,820
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,691,515
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,684 per 100,000

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

28. New York
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 11,913,695
> Total vaccines administered within state: 9,261,975
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,570 per 100,000

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

27. New Hampshire
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 788,755
> Total vaccines administered within state: 614,984
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 6,129 per 100,000

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

26. Delaware
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 592,965
> Total vaccines administered within state: 463,476
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,695 per 100,000

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

25. Vermont
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 417,840
> Total vaccines administered within state: 328,451
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 3,045 per 100,000

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

24. Maryland
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,573,500
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,809,466
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 6,781 per 100,000

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

23. Indiana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,532,620
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,787,166
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,171 per 100,000

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

22. Pennsylvania
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 7,659,555
> Total vaccines administered within state: 6,056,762
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,931 per 100,000

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

21. Nevada
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,704,450
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,348,526
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,846 per 100,000

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

20. Illinois
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 7,493,325
> Total vaccines administered within state: 5,932,882
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,782 per 100,000

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

19. Idaho
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 948,735
> Total vaccines administered within state: 752,364
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,059 per 100,000

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

18. Washington
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,495,070
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,586,736
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 4,759 per 100,000

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

17. Arizona
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,304,045
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,451,567
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,547 per 100,000

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

16. South Dakota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 618,745
> Total vaccines administered within state: 496,601
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 13,263 per 100,000

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

15. Connecticut
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,426,455
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,954,259
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,651 per 100,000

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

14. Colorado
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,330,360
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,691,248
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,977 per 100,000

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

13. Utah
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,627,020
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,327,487
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 12,001 per 100,000

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

12. Nebraska
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,152,650
> Total vaccines administered within state: 940,837
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,800 per 100,000

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

11. Kentucky
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,572,045
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,100,387
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,520 per 100,000

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

10. Virginia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,907,455
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,056,991
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,240 per 100,000

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

9. New Jersey
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,236,605
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,381,035
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,136 per 100,000

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

8. Maine
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 826,370
> Total vaccines administered within state: 697,663
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 84.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 3,738 per 100,000

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

7. Massachusetts
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,270,280
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,611,067
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 84.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,765 per 100,000

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

6. Iowa
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,816,015
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,539,664
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 84.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,090 per 100,000

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

5. Rhode Island
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 652,615
> Total vaccines administered within state: 559,186
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 12,885 per 100,000

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

4. Minnesota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,203,000
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,751,928
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,160 per 100,000

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

3. Wisconsin
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,355,325
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,905,410
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 86.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,897 per 100,000

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

2. New Mexico
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,442,775
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,258,002
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 87.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,120 per 100,000

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

1. North Dakota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 464,690
> Total vaccines administered within state: 413,386
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 89.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 13,500 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.