Topline
The U.S. surpassed 400 million coronavirus vaccinations Friday after a nearly year-long mass vaccination drive, the largest in the nation’s history — and though more than 65% of Americans have received at least one dose, some states still haven’t vaccinated close to half their population.
Key Facts
Nearly 187 million people, or 56% of all Americans, were fully vaccinated as of Friday, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and 216.6 million, or 65% of the population, had received at least one dose..
People over the age of 65, who are more likely to experience coronavirus complications, are the most-vaccinated age group with about 84% having completed a coronavirus vaccine series, compared to 68% of adults overall and 66% of people over the age of 12.
The Northeast is the most vaccinated region of the country, led by Vermont with 70% of residents fully vaccinated, followed by Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine with 69% each.
The least vaccinated state is West Virginia, where only 41% of people are fully vaccinated, followed by Idaho, Wyoming and Alabama by only one or two percentage points.
The growing number of vaccine mandates at businesses and at the state and federal levels have significantly boosted vaccination rates where they have been enacted.
Tangent
More than 7 million people have received a booster shot so far, according to the CDC, which is currently only recommended by the agency for seniors, people with compromised health and workers in high-risk settings. The World Health Organization has called for a moratorium on boosters until next year, citing inequality in international vaccine distribution.
Key Background
The number of doses being administered reached a peak in April, when vaccine eligibility was expanded to include most adults. More recently, vaccine dose administration ramped up again in late September after new outbreaks and deaths were reported in states with low vaccination rates, driven by the more-infectious delta variant. New sweeping coronavirus mandates were announced by President Joe Biden last month, including a provision that requires all businesses employing 100 or more workers to mandate vaccinations or enforce a weekly testing policy. On Wednesday, Los Angeles became the latest city to announce it would require residents to show proof of vaccination to eat indoors at restaurants, bars, gyms and other indoor spaces, following New York and Honolulu. Both cities reported surges in vaccination rates after announcing the requirement.
Further Reading
U.S. Covid-19 Deaths For 2021 Surpass Toll From 2020 (Forbes)
Covid-19 Vaccine Mandates Are Working—Here’s The Proof (Forbes)
