Special Report

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

Evan Comen

Published: December 24, 2021 4:45 am

It has now been 53 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 December 21, 606,309,295 doses of the vaccine have been sent out across the country — equivalent to 184.7% 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 82.0% of distributed vaccine doses have been administered as of December 21, in West Virginia 91.0% of vaccine doses have been administered — the largest share of any state. In Alabama, 69.1% 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 196.0% of the population — greater than the national vaccination rate of 151.5% and the largest share of any state. In Idaho, the number of administered doses amounts to 111.7% 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, 59.2% 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 not trusting COVID-19 vaccines, not trusting the government, and that they were planning to wait and see if it is safe.

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 December 21. Data on confirmed COVID-19 cases as of December 21 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 August 18, 2021 to August 30, 2021.

50. Alabama
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 7,985,890
> Total vaccines administered within state: 5,518,826
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 69.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 17,507 per 100,000

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

49. Idaho
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,865,490
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,996,310
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 69.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 17,569 per 100,000

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

48. Georgia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 18,177,665
> Total vaccines administered within state: 13,020,837
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 71.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 15,933 per 100,000

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

47. Mississippi
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,563,525
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,386,881
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 74.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 17,555 per 100,000

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

46. Hawaii
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,922,280
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,183,974
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 74.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 6,334 per 100,000

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

45. South Carolina
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 8,745,535
> Total vaccines administered within state: 6,580,169
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 75.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 18,181 per 100,000

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

44. Arkansas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 4,931,140
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,730,788
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 75.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 18,015 per 100,000

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

43. Alaska
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,316,925
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,010,674
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 76.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 20,392 per 100,000

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

42. Indiana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 10,855,130
> Total vaccines administered within state: 8,356,364
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 17,551 per 100,000

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

41. Texas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 51,394,985
> Total vaccines administered within state: 39,726,293
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 15,220 per 100,000

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

40. Michigan
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 17,680,490
> Total vaccines administered within state: 13,697,167
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 77.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 16,163 per 100,000

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

39. Kentucky
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 7,388,985
> Total vaccines administered within state: 5,778,638
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 18,481 per 100,000

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

38. Pennsylvania
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 25,091,705
> Total vaccines administered within state: 19,623,961
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 14,765 per 100,000

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

37. Kansas
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,067,785
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,963,909
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 17,087 per 100,000

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

36. Maryland
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 13,009,690
> Total vaccines administered within state: 10,191,054
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,803 per 100,000

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

35. North Carolina
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 18,506,900
> Total vaccines administered within state: 14,563,870
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 78.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 15,151 per 100,000

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

34. South Dakota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,563,125
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,234,453
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 19,630 per 100,000

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

33. Delaware
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,944,745
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,543,544
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 17,008 per 100,000

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

32. Wyoming
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 847,265
> Total vaccines administered within state: 673,362
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 19,625 per 100,000

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

31. Oregon
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 8,421,665
> Total vaccines administered within state: 6,699,976
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 9,609 per 100,000

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

30. Ohio
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 19,551,775
> Total vaccines administered within state: 15,568,579
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 15,802 per 100,000

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

29. New Jersey
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 18,312,055
> Total vaccines administered within state: 14,600,807
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 79.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 15,151 per 100,000

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

28. New Hampshire
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,868,800
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,297,617
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 13,463 per 100,000

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

27. Louisiana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 6,837,990
> Total vaccines administered within state: 5,519,379
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 80.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 16,793 per 100,000

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

26. Iowa
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,576,025
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,522,702
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 17,655 per 100,000

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

25. Tennessee
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 10,761,910
> Total vaccines administered within state: 8,754,033
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 19,748 per 100,000

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

24. Missouri
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 9,745,105
> Total vaccines administered within state: 7,967,863
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 15,679 per 100,000

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

23. Florida
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 40,310,565
> Total vaccines administered within state: 32,981,346
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 81.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 17,537 per 100,000

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

22. Washington
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 14,942,655
> Total vaccines administered within state: 12,302,096
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,510 per 100,000

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

21. Utah
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,321,930
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,398,450
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.6%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 19,267 per 100,000

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

20. Arizona
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 12,416,840
> Total vaccines administered within state: 10,275,713
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 18,366 per 100,000

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

19. Montana
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,714,465
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,421,649
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 82.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 18,223 per 100,000

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

18. Nebraska
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,361,430
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,799,660
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 16,920 per 100,000

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

17. North Dakota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,189,360
> Total vaccines administered within state: 997,371
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 22,234 per 100,000

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

16. Oklahoma
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 6,198,120
> Total vaccines administered within state: 5,202,912
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 83.9%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 17,334 per 100,000

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

15. Minnesota
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 10,653,300
> Total vaccines administered within state: 8,960,730
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 84.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 17,364 per 100,000

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

14. Nevada
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 5,007,590
> Total vaccines administered within state: 4,223,921
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 84.4%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 15,690 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: 22,900,365
> Total vaccines administered within state: 19,403,026
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 84.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 15,342 per 100,000

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

12. Virginia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 16,614,315
> Total vaccines administered within state: 14,143,206
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 11,920 per 100,000

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

11. Rhode Island
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,226,785
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,900,228
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 19,706 per 100,000

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

10. California
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 75,224,175
> Total vaccines administered within state: 64,201,153
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 13,106 per 100,000

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

9. Maine
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 2,860,470
> Total vaccines administered within state: 2,446,530
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 85.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 10,147 per 100,000

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

8. Colorado
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 10,735,695
> Total vaccines administered within state: 9,304,573
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 86.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 15,046 per 100,000

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

7. New York
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 38,061,585
> Total vaccines administered within state: 33,286,345
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 87.5%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 15,263 per 100,000

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

6. Vermont
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 1,393,680
> Total vaccines administered within state: 1,223,032
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 87.8%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 8,566 per 100,000

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

5. Massachusetts
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 14,348,620
> Total vaccines administered within state: 12,659,130
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 88.2%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 14,588 per 100,000

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

4. Connecticut
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 7,309,085
> Total vaccines administered within state: 6,483,509
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 88.7%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 12,778 per 100,000

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

3. New Mexico
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,779,475
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,374,523
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 89.3%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 16,062 per 100,000

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

2. Wisconsin
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 9,891,405
> Total vaccines administered within state: 8,912,998
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 90.1%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 18,106 per 100,000

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

1. West Virginia
> Total vaccines distributed to state: 3,423,185
> Total vaccines administered within state: 3,115,953
> Pct. of distributed vaccines administered: 91.0%
> Confirmed COVID-19 cases: 17,565 per 100,000

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

Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.