Special Report

COVID-19: These Are the States Fighting It Most Successfully

Evan Comen

Published: August 20, 2021 5:45 am

It has now been 35 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 August 18, 419,612,925 doses of the vaccine have been sent out across the country — equivalent to 127.8% 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.

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 85.5% of distributed vaccine doses have been administered as of August 18, in New Mexico 99.9% of vaccine doses have been administered — the largest share of any state. In Alabama, 68.2% 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 Vermont, the number of administered doses amounts to 138.1% of the population — greater than the national vaccination rate of 109.2% and the largest share of any state. In Alabama, the number of administered doses amounts to 78.3% 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, 45.8% 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, not trusting COVID-19 vaccines, and not trusting the government.

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 August 18. Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases as of August 18 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 June 23, 2021 to July 5, 2021.

50. Alabama
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,631,430
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,838,861
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 68.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 12,949 per 100,000

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

49. West Virginia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,144,815
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,498,343
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 69.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,597 per 100,000

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

48. Mississippi
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,167,515
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,335,226
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 73.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 12,807 per 100,000

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

47. Georgia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 12,366,795
> Total vaccines administered within state: 9,315,548
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 75.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,798 per 100,000

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

46. Idaho
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,841,950
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,414,128
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 76.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,642 per 100,000

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

45. Arkansas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,422,170
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,652,240
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 13,911 per 100,000

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

44. South Carolina
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,920,805
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,614,130
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 12,744 per 100,000

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

43. North Carolina
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 12,668,580
> Total vaccines administered within state: 10,096,297
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,559 per 100,000

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

42. Michigan
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 12,458,850
> Total vaccines administered within state: 9,999,143
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,300 per 100,000

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

41. Alaska
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 887,705
> Total vaccines administered within state: 712,734
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,436 per 100,000

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

40. Delaware
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,395,625
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,122,349
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,757 per 100,000

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

39. Texas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 35,778,825
> Total vaccines administered within state: 28,887,326
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,464 per 100,000

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

38. Louisiana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,898,850
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,957,850
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 13,224 per 100,000

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

37. Oregon
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,979,865
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,834,026
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 5,654 per 100,000

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

36. Oklahoma
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,443,720
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,642,556
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 12,859 per 100,000

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

35. Maryland
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 9,033,450
> Total vaccines administered within state: 7,416,102
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,939 per 100,000

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

34. Kansas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,414,525
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,813,453
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,943 per 100,000

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

33. Arizona
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 8,925,870
> Total vaccines administered within state: 7,359,223
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 13,264 per 100,000

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

32. Missouri
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 6,933,265
> Total vaccines administered within state: 5,730,667
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,770 per 100,000

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

31. New Hampshire
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,962,010
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,626,150
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 7,568 per 100,000

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

30. Tennessee
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 7,213,610
> Total vaccines administered within state: 6,036,973
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 13,783 per 100,000

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

29. Florida
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 28,424,665
> Total vaccines administered within state: 23,806,424
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 13,658 per 100,000

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

28. Wyoming
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 552,055
> Total vaccines administered within state: 462,805
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,796 per 100,000

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

27. Ohio
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 13,405,495
> Total vaccines administered within state: 11,375,906
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 84.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,922 per 100,000

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

26. Montana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,172,395
> Total vaccines administered within state: 998,009
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,215 per 100,000

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

25. Rhode Island
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,598,045
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,361,536
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 14,876 per 100,000

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

24. South Dakota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,029,915
> Total vaccines administered within state: 877,662
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 14,327 per 100,000

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

23. New Jersey
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 12,555,385
> Total vaccines administered within state: 10,703,850
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,945 per 100,000

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

22. Indiana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 7,324,560
> Total vaccines administered within state: 6,251,823
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,835 per 100,000

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

21. Hawaii
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,037,950
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,747,710
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 3,475 per 100,000

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

20. Iowa
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,740,125
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,228,390
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 86.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 12,336 per 100,000

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

19. Maine
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,973,500
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,705,035
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 86.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 5,395 per 100,000

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

18. Pennsylvania
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 17,047,365
> Total vaccines administered within state: 15,017,532
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 88.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,768 per 100,000

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

17. California
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 53,025,935
> Total vaccines administered within state: 46,720,908
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 88.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,605 per 100,000

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

16. North Dakota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 769,990
> Total vaccines administered within state: 680,169
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 88.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 14,871 per 100,000

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

15. Virginia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 11,271,985
> Total vaccines administered within state: 9,989,460
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 88.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,437 per 100,000

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

14. Nevada
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,494,890
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,097,258
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 88.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 12,049 per 100,000

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

13. Illinois
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 16,018,835
> Total vaccines administered within state: 14,201,829
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 88.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,503 per 100,000

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

12. Kentucky
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,936,355
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,377,714
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 88.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,465 per 100,000

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

11. Utah
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,519,230
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,124,993
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 88.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 13,861 per 100,000

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

10. Vermont
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 967,780
> Total vaccines administered within state: 861,855
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 89.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 3,891 per 100,000

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

9. Nebraska
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,249,520
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,004,663
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 89.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 12,014 per 100,000

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

8. Minnesota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 6,988,680
> Total vaccines administered within state: 6,240,273
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 89.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,080 per 100,000

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

7. Colorado
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 7,423,735
> Total vaccines administered within state: 6,657,464
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 89.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,237 per 100,000

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

6. New York
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 26,193,075
> Total vaccines administered within state: 23,720,019
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 90.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,340 per 100,000

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

5. Massachusetts
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 10,214,800
> Total vaccines administered within state: 9,314,110
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 91.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,656 per 100,000

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

4. Washington
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 10,068,805
> Total vaccines administered within state: 9,251,438
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 91.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 6,662 per 100,000

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

3. Connecticut
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,126,195
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,712,472
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 91.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,149 per 100,000

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

2. Wisconsin
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 6,680,125
> Total vaccines administered within state: 6,312,584
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 94.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 12,106 per 100,000

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

1. New Mexico
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,554,245
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,559,741
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 99.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,424 per 100,000

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

Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.