Special Report

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

Samuel Stebbins

Published: June 20, 2021 5:45 am

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, 26,590,000 Americans — or 10.7% 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 25.8% of the adult population to as little as 3.9%, depending on the state. States where the largest shares of adults are open to taking the vaccine are concentrated in the Northeast.

The majority of Americans who have yet to be vaccinated 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, 15,800,000 people, 6.3% of the adult population, do not trust the COVID-19 vaccines, and 5,780,000, or 2.3%, do not trust vaccines in general. Additionally, 13,630,000 American adults, or 5.5% of the 18 and older population, have not been vaccinated because they do not trust the government.

Meanwhile, the virus continues to spread. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 33,163,632 confirmed cases of the virus and a total of 595,256 Americans have died as a result.

So far, 147,758,585 Americans — or 45.2% 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 June 16, 2021. All data related to COVID-19 infections, fatalities, and vaccinations is current as of June 17, 2021.

Alabama
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 578,261 (15.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,546,119 (31.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,215 per 100,000 people (total: 548,160)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 231 per 100,000 people (total: 11,279)

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: 97,373 (18.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 302,820 (41.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,206 per 100,000 people (total: 67,885)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 50 per 100,000 people (total: 366)

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: 817,817 (14.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,808,680 (39.2% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 12,376 per 100,000 people (total: 887,569)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 248 per 100,000 people (total: 17,779)

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: 467,899 (20.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 993,850 (33.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,426 per 100,000 people (total: 344,369)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 195 per 100,000 people (total: 5,869)

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: 1,901,554 (6.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 18,751,239 (47.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,348 per 100,000 people (total: 3,697,927)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 158 per 100,000 people (total: 62,515)

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: 331,845 (7.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,847,420 (50.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,687 per 100,000 people (total: 551,719)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 118 per 100,000 people (total: 6,700)

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: 154,200 (5.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,075,632 (58.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,755 per 100,000 people (total: 348,521)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 231 per 100,000 people (total: 8,263)

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: 46,832 (6.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 458,078 (47.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,314 per 100,000 people (total: 109,421)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 174 per 100,000 people (total: 1,679)

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: 2,241,792 (13.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 9,302,225 (43.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,834 per 100,000 people (total: 2,307,628)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 176 per 100,000 people (total: 37,448)

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: 1,140,204 (14.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,692,677 (35.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,734 per 100,000 people (total: 1,129,177)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 201 per 100,000 people (total: 21,171)

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: 57,743 (5.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 712,370 (50.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 2,520 per 100,000 people (total: 35,802)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 35 per 100,000 people (total: 503)

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: 276,260 (20.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 623,791 (35.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,050 per 100,000 people (total: 193,832)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 121 per 100,000 people (total: 2,116)

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: 815,981 (8.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 5,538,524 (43.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,894 per 100,000 people (total: 1,387,986)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 200 per 100,000 people (total: 25,505)

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: 631,214 (12.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,594,530 (38.8% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,205 per 100,000 people (total: 749,835)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 206 per 100,000 people (total: 13,752)

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: 322,594 (13.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,464,586 (46.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,810 per 100,000 people (total: 372,752)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 193 per 100,000 people (total: 6,103)

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: 310,504 (14.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,181,375 (40.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,854 per 100,000 people (total: 316,014)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 176 per 100,000 people (total: 5,125)

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: 598,976 (17.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,857,257 (41.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,355 per 100,000 people (total: 462,700)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 160 per 100,000 people (total: 7,171)

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: 620,342 (18.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,552,326 (33.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,225 per 100,000 people (total: 476,467)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 229 per 100,000 people (total: 10,660)

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: 103,510 (9.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 797,386 (59.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 5,132 per 100,000 people (total: 68,683)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 64 per 100,000 people (total: 853)

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: 315,634 (6.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,219,251 (53.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,637 per 100,000 people (total: 461,470)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 160 per 100,000 people (total: 9,695)

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: 257,121 (4.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,072,441 (59.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,272 per 100,000 people (total: 709,012)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 260 per 100,000 people (total: 17,949)

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: 734,486 (9.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,540,507 (45.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,980 per 100,000 people (total: 997,595)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 208 per 100,000 people (total: 20,817)

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: 325,327 (7.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,795,379 (49.8% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,764 per 100,000 people (total: 603,966)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 136 per 100,000 people (total: 7,611)

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: 375,917 (17.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 855,639 (28.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,698 per 100,000 people (total: 319,511)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 247 per 100,000 people (total: 7,368)

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: 655,362 (14.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,272,493 (37.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,920 per 100,000 people (total: 607,722)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 151 per 100,000 people (total: 9,224)

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: 212,026 (25.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 440,697 (41.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,632 per 100,000 people (total: 112,949)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 155 per 100,000 people (total: 1,647)

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: 131,360 (9.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 869,763 (45.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,605 per 100,000 people (total: 223,888)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 117 per 100,000 people (total: 2,258)

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: 296,055 (12.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,226,328 (40.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,804 per 100,000 people (total: 327,831)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 185 per 100,000 people (total: 5,626)

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: 120,932 (11.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 738,841 (54.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,312 per 100,000 people (total: 99,178)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 101 per 100,000 people (total: 1,364)

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: 328,686 (4.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,768,442 (53.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,450 per 100,000 people (total: 1,020,043)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 296 per 100,000 people (total: 26,345)

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: 117,418 (7.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,076,745 (51.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,754 per 100,000 people (total: 204,392)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 205 per 100,000 people (total: 4,302)

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: 946,930 (6.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 9,990,196 (51.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,788 per 100,000 people (total: 2,108,309)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 272 per 100,000 people (total: 53,250)

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: 1,091,132 (13.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,009,503 (38.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,719 per 100,000 people (total: 1,009,198)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 128 per 100,000 people (total: 13,296)

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: 84,145 (15.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 289,031 (38.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 14,537 per 100,000 people (total: 110,492)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 200 per 100,000 people (total: 1,522)

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: 1,233,620 (14.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 5,032,428 (43.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,475 per 100,000 people (total: 1,107,521)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 172 per 100,000 people (total: 20,122)

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: 538,207 (18.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,447,908 (36.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,543 per 100,000 people (total: 455,145)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 187 per 100,000 people (total: 7,357)

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: 374,539 (11.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,138,497 (51.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 4,903 per 100,000 people (total: 205,459)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 65 per 100,000 people (total: 2,737)

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: 1,132,110 (11.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 6,117,497 (47.8% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,441 per 100,000 people (total: 1,209,136)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 215 per 100,000 people (total: 27,514)

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: 51,588 (6.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 597,441 (56.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 14,405 per 100,000 people (total: 152,306)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 258 per 100,000 people (total: 2,723)

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: 588,164 (14.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,877,766 (36.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,709 per 100,000 people (total: 595,310)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 193 per 100,000 people (total: 9,799)

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: 76,704 (11.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 391,806 (44.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 14,098 per 100,000 people (total: 124,377)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 230 per 100,000 people (total: 2,026)

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: 653,989 (12.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,328,568 (34.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 12,784 per 100,000 people (total: 865,511)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 185 per 100,000 people (total: 12,504)

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: 2,389,502 (11.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 11,331,694 (39.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,344 per 100,000 people (total: 2,969,037)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 177 per 100,000 people (total: 50,883)

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: 259,746 (11.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,150,170 (36.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 12,969 per 100,000 people (total: 409,964)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 73 per 100,000 people (total: 2,323)

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: 19,109 (3.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 394,874 (63.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 3,886 per 100,000 people (total: 24,339)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 41 per 100,000 people (total: 256)

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: 365,755 (5.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,208,431 (49.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,963 per 100,000 people (total: 678,226)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 133 per 100,000 people (total: 11,330)

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: 441,585 (7.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,951,039 (52.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 5,907 per 100,000 people (total: 445,155)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 77 per 100,000 people (total: 5,800)

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: 137,802 (10.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 644,041 (35.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,039 per 100,000 people (total: 163,221)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 158 per 100,000 people (total: 2,856)

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: 688,597 (15.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,753,636 (47.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,635 per 100,000 people (total: 676,406)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 138 per 100,000 people (total: 8,023)

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: 97,109 (22.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 192,582 (33.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,611 per 100,000 people (total: 61,303)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 127 per 100,000 people (total: 734)

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.