As the summer surge of COVID-19 cases continues across the nation, a recent study has identified the states with the lowest vaccination rates among adults, placing Kentucky among the bottom 10.
The analysis, conducted by personal injury lawyers at the Zinda Law Group, utilized data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine the percentage of individuals aged 18 and older who have received COVID-19 vaccinations in each state.
Kentucky ranked 10th lowest, achieving a vaccination rate of 73.1%, which translates to approximately 943,991 adults vaccinated. Among this group, only 16.5% (around 579,028 residents) received an updated vaccine dose between 2023 and 2024. In comparison, Wyoming had the lowest rate at 64.3%.
On the other hand, Rhode Island and Massachusetts reported the highest vaccination rates in the country, with 90.1% of their adult populations vaccinated. In Rhode Island, approximately 88,320 residents have not received any vaccines, while Massachusetts has around 560,300 unvaccinated individuals.
A spokesperson from the Zinda Law Group noted that the disparity in vaccination rates across states may stem from various factors, such as healthcare access, vaccine availability, and public confidence in the vaccine.
The study’s findings are based on data regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for adults, as provided by the CDC, complemented by population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.