Special Report

States Where the Most People Are Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine

Samuel Stebbins

Published: April 19, 2021 5:45 am

As the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, variants of the virus also continue to emerge. Many of these new variants are more contagious than their predecessors and have added a new urgency to vaccine distribution.

The Biden Administration’s ambitious plan to vaccinate 300 million Americans by the end of the summer faces multiple challenges — and not all of them are related to distribution or production. According to a recent survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, 38,560,000 Americans — or 15.5% of the 18 and older population — say they will either probably or definitely not agree to receive the vaccination when given the opportunity.

The share of eligible residents who will likely refuse vaccination varies considerably nationwide, from as many as 33.2% of the adult population to as little as 7.8%, depending on the state. States where the largest shares of adults are resistant to the possibility of being vaccinated tend to be in the West, while the states where the largest shares of adults are open to taking the vaccine are concentrated in the Northeast.

The majority of Americans who are against personally taking the vaccine cite one of three reasons: either they are concerned about possible side effects, or they want to wait to see if it is safe, or they think that others would benefit more than themselves from a vaccination. Others cite different reasons.

Nationwide, 16,820,000 people, 6.8% of the eligible population, do not trust the COVID-19 vaccines, and another 7,550,000, or 3.0%, do not trust vaccines in general. Additionally, 14,430,000 American adults, 5.8% of those eligible, will likely refuse a vaccination because they do not trust the government.

Meanwhile, the virus continues to spread. In the last week alone, another 488,700 Americans tested positive for the virus and 5,325 have died. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 31,029,700 confirmed cases of the virus and a total of 558,238 Americans have died as a result.

So far, 80,609,818 Americans — or 32.4% of the total population — have received the full course of vaccinations necessary to protect against COVID-19.

All survey data used in this story was published by the Census on April 7, 2021. All data related to COVID-19 infections, fatalities, and vaccinations is current as of April 15, 2021.

Alabama
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 835,520 (22.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 915,654 (18.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,649 per 100,000 people (total: 520,503)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 219 per 100,000 people (total: 10,722)

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

Alaska
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 117,137 (22.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 228,333 (31.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,500 per 100,000 people (total: 62,681)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 42 per 100,000 people (total: 310)

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

Arizona
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 973,425 (17.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,702,622 (23.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,864 per 100,000 people (total: 850,846)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 239 per 100,000 people (total: 17,105)

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

Arkansas
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 498,112 (22.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 621,708 (20.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,031 per 100,000 people (total: 332,446)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 188 per 100,000 people (total: 5,673)

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

California
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 2,961,793 (9.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 9,439,183 (23.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,112 per 100,000 people (total: 3,604,395)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 150 per 100,000 people (total: 59,258)

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

Colorado
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 623,728 (14.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,405,861 (24.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,454 per 100,000 people (total: 481,494)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 108 per 100,000 people (total: 6,168)

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

Connecticut
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 213,329 (7.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,083,206 (30.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,116 per 100,000 people (total: 325,689)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 223 per 100,000 people (total: 7,974)

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

Delaware
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 113,698 (15.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 236,291 (24.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,250 per 100,000 people (total: 99,135)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 164 per 100,000 people (total: 1,587)

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

Florida
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 3,111,085 (18.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,920,302 (23.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,834 per 100,000 people (total: 2,094,670)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 160 per 100,000 people (total: 34,120)

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

Georgia
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,550,059 (19.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,899,992 (18.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,235 per 100,000 people (total: 1,076,644)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 186 per 100,000 people (total: 19,548)

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

Hawaii
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 123,408 (11.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 387,882 (27.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 2,106 per 100,000 people (total: 29,917)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 33 per 100,000 people (total: 468)

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

Idaho
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 326,444 (24.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 394,528 (22.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,484 per 100,000 people (total: 183,910)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 114 per 100,000 people (total: 2,000)

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

Illinois
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,216,755 (12.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,012,658 (23.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,089 per 100,000 people (total: 1,285,398)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 187 per 100,000 people (total: 23,826)

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

Indiana
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,008,932 (20.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,480,851 (22.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,472 per 100,000 people (total: 700,775)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 197 per 100,000 people (total: 13,167)

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

Iowa
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 413,371 (17.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 857,061 (27.2% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,335 per 100,000 people (total: 357,739)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 186 per 100,000 people (total: 5,857)

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

Kansas
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 365,121 (17.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 731,678 (25.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,466 per 100,000 people (total: 304,719)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 169 per 100,000 people (total: 4,930)

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

Kentucky
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 573,527 (17.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,172,523 (26.2% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,716 per 100,000 people (total: 434,148)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 140 per 100,000 people (total: 6,261)

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

Louisiana
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 780,329 (22.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,041,033 (22.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,663 per 100,000 people (total: 450,279)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 220 per 100,000 people (total: 10,255)

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

Maine
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 169,359 (15.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 423,789 (31.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 4,137 per 100,000 people (total: 55,375)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 57 per 100,000 people (total: 757)

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

Maryland
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 543,695 (11.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,609,564 (26.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,122 per 100,000 people (total: 430,351)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 141 per 100,000 people (total: 8,493)

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

Massachusetts
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 519,796 (9.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,934,940 (28.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,165 per 100,000 people (total: 632,558)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 250 per 100,000 people (total: 17,276)

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

Michigan
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,155,877 (15.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,475,149 (24.8% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,416 per 100,000 people (total: 841,234)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 177 per 100,000 people (total: 17,657)

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

Minnesota
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 560,012 (13.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,556,048 (27.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,720 per 100,000 people (total: 545,404)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 125 per 100,000 people (total: 7,040)

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

Mississippi
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 484,252 (22.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 610,460 (20.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,317 per 100,000 people (total: 308,111)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 238 per 100,000 people (total: 7,122)

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

Missouri
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 772,088 (16.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,348,313 (22.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,561 per 100,000 people (total: 585,727)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 141 per 100,000 people (total: 8,625)

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

Montana
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 224,040 (27.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 282,968 (26.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,018 per 100,000 people (total: 106,426)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 144 per 100,000 people (total: 1,526)

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

Nebraska
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 292,836 (20.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 524,782 (27.2% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,128 per 100,000 people (total: 214,682)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 115 per 100,000 people (total: 2,226)

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

Nevada
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 444,363 (18.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 708,126 (23.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,175 per 100,000 people (total: 308,755)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 176 per 100,000 people (total: 5,339)

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

New Hampshire
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 114,021 (10.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 372,094 (27.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,606 per 100,000 people (total: 89,605)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 93 per 100,000 people (total: 1,257)

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

New Jersey
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 760,375 (11.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,542,293 (28.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,775 per 100,000 people (total: 959,921)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 280 per 100,000 people (total: 24,945)

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

New Mexico
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 170,687 (10.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 655,962 (31.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,266 per 100,000 people (total: 194,164)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 190 per 100,000 people (total: 3,988)

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

New York
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,598,153 (10.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 5,348,409 (27.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,078 per 100,000 people (total: 1,969,550)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 261 per 100,000 people (total: 51,024)

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

North Carolina
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,381,856 (17.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,483,100 (23.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,018 per 100,000 people (total: 936,425)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 119 per 100,000 people (total: 12,305)

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

North Dakota
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 143,958 (25.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 216,079 (28.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 13,843 per 100,000 people (total: 105,215)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 194 per 100,000 people (total: 1,474)

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

Ohio
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,729,919 (19.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,912,782 (24.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,929 per 100,000 people (total: 1,043,729)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 162 per 100,000 people (total: 18,917)

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

Oklahoma
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 695,578 (23.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 994,536 (25.2% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,268 per 100,000 people (total: 444,288)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 170 per 100,000 people (total: 6,700)

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

Oregon
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 444,465 (13.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,010,493 (24.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 4,090 per 100,000 people (total: 171,398)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 58 per 100,000 people (total: 2,446)

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

Pennsylvania
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,770,245 (18.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,214,140 (25.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,449 per 100,000 people (total: 1,082,062)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 199 per 100,000 people (total: 25,472)

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

Rhode Island
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 96,501 (11.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 326,821 (30.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 13,503 per 100,000 people (total: 142,774)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 250 per 100,000 people (total: 2,640)

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

South Carolina
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 701,836 (17.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,136,479 (22.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,112 per 100,000 people (total: 564,931)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 183 per 100,000 people (total: 9,304)

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

South Dakota
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 95,424 (14.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 265,903 (30.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 13,619 per 100,000 people (total: 120,154)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 221 per 100,000 people (total: 1,947)

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

Tennessee
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,068,934 (20.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,327,292 (19.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 12,206 per 100,000 people (total: 826,371)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 178 per 100,000 people (total: 12,022)

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

Texas
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 3,625,926 (17.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 6,298,033 (21.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,849 per 100,000 people (total: 2,826,806)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 168 per 100,000 people (total: 48,273)

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

Utah
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 384,886 (16.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 591,806 (18.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 12,358 per 100,000 people (total: 390,647)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 70 per 100,000 people (total: 2,222)

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

Vermont
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 41,355 (8.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 186,187 (29.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 3,415 per 100,000 people (total: 21,388)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 37 per 100,000 people (total: 233)

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

Virginia
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 701,180 (10.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,157,020 (25.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,516 per 100,000 people (total: 640,211)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 123 per 100,000 people (total: 10,510)

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

Washington
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 800,808 (13.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,967,611 (26.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 5,031 per 100,000 people (total: 379,083)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 71 per 100,000 people (total: 5,340)

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

West Virginia
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 222,815 (16.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 459,631 (25.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,129 per 100,000 people (total: 146,790)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 152 per 100,000 people (total: 2,747)

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

Wisconsin
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 851,430 (19.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,588,828 (27.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,131 per 100,000 people (total: 647,091)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 127 per 100,000 people (total: 7,394)

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

Wyoming
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 143,745 (33.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 139,498 (24.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,878 per 100,000 people (total: 57,070)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 122 per 100,000 people (total: 703)

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

Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.