Special Report
States Getting the Most COVID-19 Vaccines From the Federal Government
Published:
It has now been 20 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 May 2, 312,508,205 doses of the vaccine have been sent out across the country — equivalent to 95.2% of the U.S. population.
While the initial distribution of the vaccine took longer than federal projections had indicated, in recent months the U.S. has made great leaps in the worldwide race to administer vaccinations — and some states are faring far better than others. Under the current system, led by the White House COVID-19 Response Team, 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. The distribution of the vaccine is based on the size of the adult population in every state, which — according to some experts — can create inequities in states where a larger share of the population is at risk.
At this stage of the vaccine rollout, distribution of the vaccine varies widely from state to state. While the CDC has so far sent out an average of 95,207.4 vaccine doses per 100,000 Americans, Vermont has received 111,290 doses per 100,000 residents — the most of any state. Meanwhile, Louisiana has received 79,155 doses per 100,000, the fewest of any state.
The largest outlier is Wyoming, which has received the eighth fewest doses per capita and is the smallest state.
While the federal government distributes vaccines to states, it is up to state governments to administer the vaccine — creating variations in both the percentage of vaccines that have been administered and the percentage of the population that has been vaccinated. In Wisconsin, 89.0% of vaccine doses have been administered, the most of any state and far greater than the 77.9% national average. In Alabama, 63.4% of vaccine doses have been administered, the least of any state.
At this stage of the rollout, the number of doses administered in Connecticut is equivalent to 91.6% of the state population — the largest share of any state. The lowest vaccination rate is in Alabama, where 53.4% of residents have received a dose of the vaccine. Nationwide, the number of doses administered is equivalent to 74.2% of the U.S. population.
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, 29.4% 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 the states getting the most vaccines from the federal government, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. States were ranked based on the number of vaccines administered as of May 2 per 100,000 residents. Vaccine counts were adjusted for population using one-year data from the Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 2 came from various state and local health departments and were adjusted for population using 2019 ACS data. Data on the percentage of adults who probably will not 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. 17, 2021 to Mar. 29, 2021.
50. Louisiana
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 79,155
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 58.3% (3rd fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 9,838 (21st fewest)
> Population: 4,648,794
49. Utah
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 79,753
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 67.6% (16th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 12,368 (5th most)
> Population: 3,205,958
These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
48. Idaho
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 80,448
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 60.8% (7th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,479 (20th most)
> Population: 1,787,065
These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
47. Tennessee
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 81,344
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 59.4% (4th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 12,379 (4th most)
> Population: 6,829,174
46. Indiana
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 82,149
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 62.4% (9th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,659 (16th most)
> Population: 6,732,219
45. Nevada
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 82,478
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 67.4% (14th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,210 (23rd most)
> Population: 3,080,156
These are all the counties in Nevada where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
44. Mississippi
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 82,792
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 53.5% (2nd fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,472 (21st most)
> Population: 2,976,149
43. Wyoming
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 83,488
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 61.9% (8th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,021 (24th fewest)
> Population: 578,759
42. Alabama
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 84,242
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 53.4% (fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,750 (14th most)
> Population: 4,903,185
41. North Dakota
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 84,761
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 74.2% (24th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 14,080 (most)
> Population: 762,062
40. Missouri
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 87,268
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 65.5% (11th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 9,517 (20th fewest)
> Population: 6,137,428
39. Arkansas
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 87,635
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 59.8% (5th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 11,110 (13th most)
> Population: 3,017,804
38. Texas
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 87,994
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 65.8% (12th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 9,919 (23rd fewest)
> Population: 28,995,881
These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
37. South Carolina
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 88,897
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 63.6% (10th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 11,200 (11th most)
> Population: 5,148,714
36. Kentucky
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 89,068
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 70.9% (20th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 9,907 (22nd fewest)
> Population: 4,467,673
35. Minnesota
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 89,192
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 78.4% (17th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,143 (25th fewest)
> Population: 5,639,632
34. Georgia
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 89,320
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 60.2% (6th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,335 (22nd most)
> Population: 10,617,423
33. Iowa
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 89,561
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 76.4% (22nd most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 11,538 (7th most)
> Population: 3,155,070
These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
32. Wisconsin
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 90,679
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 80.7% (11th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 11,313 (10th most)
> Population: 5,822,434
31. Ohio
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 91,067
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 72.4% (25th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 9,145 (13th fewest)
> Population: 11,689,100
These are all the counties in Ohio where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
30. Arizona
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 91,394
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 70.4% (19th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 11,826 (6th most)
> Population: 7,278,717
29. Nebraska
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 92,429
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 73.1% (25th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 11,350 (8th most)
> Population: 1,934,408
28. Oregon
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 92,527
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 72.3% (23rd fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 4,337 (3rd fewest)
> Population: 4,217,737
These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
27. West Virginia
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 92,565
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 66.0% (13th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 8,498 (9th fewest)
> Population: 1,792,147
26. Montana
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 93,562
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 71.7% (21st fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,151 (25th most)
> Population: 1,068,778
25. Colorado
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 94,217
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 78.3% (18th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 8,794 (10th fewest)
> Population: 5,758,736
24. North Carolina
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 94,466
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 67.5% (15th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 9,206 (15th fewest)
> Population: 10,488,084
23. Kansas
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 94,740
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 69.9% (18th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,590 (17th most)
> Population: 2,913,314
These are all the counties in Kansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
22. Michigan
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 95,128
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 72.3% (24th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 9,296 (16th fewest)
> Population: 9,986,857
21. Oklahoma
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 95,423
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 68.2% (17th fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 11,320 (9th most)
> Population: 3,956,971
20. Illinois
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 96,124
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 75.4% (23rd most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,484 (19th most)
> Population: 12,671,821
19. Virginia
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 96,420
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 79.1% (16th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 7,713 (8th fewest)
> Population: 8,535,519
18. Washington
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 96,765
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 77.6% (20th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 5,255 (5th fewest)
> Population: 7,614,893
17. Florida
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 97,257
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 72.1% (22nd fewest)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,154 (24th most)
> Population: 21,477,737
16. New York
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 97,766
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 81.5% (10th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,489 (18th most)
> Population: 19,453,561
15. New Hampshire
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 97,956
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 84.4% (8th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 6,943 (6th fewest)
> Population: 1,359,711
14. New Mexico
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 98,212
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 86.7% (7th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 9,406 (17th fewest)
> Population: 2,096,829
13. New Jersey
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 98,735
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 83.1% (9th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 11,181 (12th most)
> Population: 8,882,190
12. California
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 100,298
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 78.0% (19th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 9,199 (14th fewest)
> Population: 39,512,223
11. Pennsylvania
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 100,586
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 80.0% (14th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 8,929 (12th fewest)
> Population: 12,801,989
10. Delaware
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 100,893
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 79.2% (15th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 10,664 (15th most)
> Population: 973,764
9. Maryland
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 101,699
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 80.4% (12th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 7,385 (7th fewest)
> Population: 6,045,680
8. South Dakota
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 102,197
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 80.3% (13th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 13,836 (3rd most)
> Population: 884,659
7. Hawaii
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 104,577
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 87.6% (5th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 2,194 (fewest)
> Population: 1,415,872
These are all the counties in Hawaii where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
6. Maine
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 104,706
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 89.3% (4th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 4,534 (4th fewest)
> Population: 1,344,212
These are all the counties in Maine where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
5. Alaska
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 105,148
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 76.6% (21st most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 8,899 (11th fewest)
> Population: 731,545
These are all the counties in Alaska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).
4. Massachusetts
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 108,233
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 91.1% (3rd most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 9,479 (18th fewest)
> Population: 6,892,503
3. Rhode Island
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 108,738
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 87.3% (6th most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 13,933 (2nd most)
> Population: 1,059,361
2. Connecticut
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 109,834
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 91.6% (most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 9,479 (19th fewest)
> Population: 3,565,287
1. Vermont
> Vaccines distributed per 100,000: 111,290
> Vaccinations administered as pct. of population: 91.5% (2nd most)
> COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents: 3,642 (2nd fewest)
> Population: 623,989
Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.
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