Special Report
States Where the Most People Are Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine
Published:
As the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, variants of the virus also continue to emerge. Many of these new variants are more contagious than their predecessors and have added a new urgency to vaccine distribution.
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, 28,610,000 Americans — or 11.5% 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 26.2% of the adult population to as little as 5.3%, 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, 18,110,000 people, 7.3% of the adult population, do not trust the COVID-19 vaccines, and 6,330,000, or 2.5%, do not trust vaccines in general. Additionally, 13,890,000 American adults, or 5.6% of the 18 and older population, have not been vaccinated because they do not trust the government.
Meanwhile, the virus continues to spread. In the last week alone, another 270,523 cases were reported, and 4,199 Americans died. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 32,605,236 confirmed cases of the virus and a total of 580,166 Americans have died as a result.
So far, 123,828,224 Americans — or 37.8% 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 May 5, 2021. All data related to COVID-19 infections, fatalities, and vaccinations is current as of May 17, 2021.
Alabama
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 734,795 (19.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,350,830 (27.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,044 per 100,000 people (total: 539,829)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 226 per 100,000 people (total: 11,038)
Alaska
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 90,153 (17.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 277,105 (37.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,043 per 100,000 people (total: 66,683)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 47 per 100,000 people (total: 347)
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: 769,180 (13.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,449,013 (34.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 12,166 per 100,000 people (total: 872,496)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 243 per 100,000 people (total: 17,459)
Arkansas
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 360,683 (16.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 885,128 (29.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,238 per 100,000 people (total: 338,687)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 192 per 100,000 people (total: 5,793)
California
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 2,394,967 (8.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 15,287,883 (38.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,261 per 100,000 people (total: 3,663,539)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 155 per 100,000 people (total: 61,444)
Colorado
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 467,289 (10.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,380,766 (41.8% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,324 per 100,000 people (total: 531,070)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 113 per 100,000 people (total: 6,442)
Connecticut
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 150,016 (5.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,737,243 (48.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,656 per 100,000 people (total: 344,977)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 229 per 100,000 people (total: 8,173)
Delaware
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 87,199 (11.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 384,270 (39.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,050 per 100,000 people (total: 106,873)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 171 per 100,000 people (total: 1,651)
Florida
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 2,338,767 (13.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 7,667,248 (36.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,548 per 100,000 people (total: 2,246,756)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 169 per 100,000 people (total: 36,056)
Georgia
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,192,621 (15.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,133,196 (29.8% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,600 per 100,000 people (total: 1,115,072)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 195 per 100,000 people (total: 20,505)
Hawaii
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 70,355 (6.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 623,006 (43.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 2,289 per 100,000 people (total: 32,511)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 34 per 100,000 people (total: 488)
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: 235,552 (17.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 553,039 (31.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,831 per 100,000 people (total: 190,004)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 118 per 100,000 people (total: 2,069)
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: 766,587 (8.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,661,795 (36.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,714 per 100,000 people (total: 1,365,020)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 194 per 100,000 people (total: 24,770)
Indiana
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 559,568 (11.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,196,547 (32.8% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,980 per 100,000 people (total: 734,736)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 201 per 100,000 people (total: 13,471)
Iowa
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 308,841 (13.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,291,090 (40.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,699 per 100,000 people (total: 369,230)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 190 per 100,000 people (total: 6,000)
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: 268,759 (12.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,062,451 (36.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,706 per 100,000 people (total: 311,705)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 173 per 100,000 people (total: 5,038)
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: 701,029 (21.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,620,902 (36.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,121 per 100,000 people (total: 452,250)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 149 per 100,000 people (total: 6,648)
Louisiana
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 498,815 (14.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,371,788 (29.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,975 per 100,000 people (total: 464,833)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 225 per 100,000 people (total: 10,478)
Maine
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 82,721 (7.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 654,748 (48.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 4,910 per 100,000 people (total: 65,715)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 60 per 100,000 people (total: 802)
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: 333,416 (7.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,575,259 (42.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,546 per 100,000 people (total: 456,004)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 148 per 100,000 people (total: 8,929)
Massachusetts
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 285,568 (5.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,243,966 (47.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,163 per 100,000 people (total: 701,490)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 257 per 100,000 people (total: 17,747)
Michigan
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 678,677 (8.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,881,437 (38.8% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,767 per 100,000 people (total: 976,339)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 198 per 100,000 people (total: 19,790)
Minnesota
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 416,238 (9.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,362,139 (42.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,579 per 100,000 people (total: 593,622)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 132 per 100,000 people (total: 7,379)
Mississippi
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 336,648 (15.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 767,726 (25.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,538 per 100,000 people (total: 314,710)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 243 per 100,000 people (total: 7,254)
Missouri
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 665,176 (14.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,001,604 (32.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,683 per 100,000 people (total: 593,251)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 145 per 100,000 people (total: 8,859)
Montana
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 183,721 (22.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 388,079 (36.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,415 per 100,000 people (total: 110,644)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 150 per 100,000 people (total: 1,598)
Nebraska
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 173,889 (12.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 771,037 (40.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,524 per 100,000 people (total: 222,335)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 117 per 100,000 people (total: 2,257)
Nevada
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 347,945 (14.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,046,594 (34.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,564 per 100,000 people (total: 320,539)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 182 per 100,000 people (total: 5,530)
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: 85,424 (8.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 483,812 (35.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,192 per 100,000 people (total: 97,563)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 98 per 100,000 people (total: 1,331)
New Jersey
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 520,615 (7.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,941,273 (44.2% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,343 per 100,000 people (total: 1,010,490)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 291 per 100,000 people (total: 25,952)
New Mexico
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 144,510 (9.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 934,402 (44.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,576 per 100,000 people (total: 200,650)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 196 per 100,000 people (total: 4,113)
New York
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,270,048 (8.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 8,321,690 (42.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,656 per 100,000 people (total: 2,082,350)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 269 per 100,000 people (total: 52,620)
North Carolina
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,070,901 (13.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,587,027 (34.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,538 per 100,000 people (total: 990,404)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 124 per 100,000 people (total: 12,885)
North Dakota
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 120,880 (21.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 268,603 (35.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 14,354 per 100,000 people (total: 109,104)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 198 per 100,000 people (total: 1,504)
Ohio
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,766,498 (20.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,424,053 (37.8% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,327 per 100,000 people (total: 1,090,276)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 167 per 100,000 people (total: 19,528)
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: 511,512 (17.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,283,509 (32.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,443 per 100,000 people (total: 451,201)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 175 per 100,000 people (total: 6,917)
Oregon
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 422,350 (12.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,656,877 (39.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 4,657 per 100,000 people (total: 195,179)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 62 per 100,000 people (total: 2,585)
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: 1,116,187 (11.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 5,032,660 (39.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,254 per 100,000 people (total: 1,185,132)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 209 per 100,000 people (total: 26,749)
Rhode Island
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 58,175 (7.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 498,493 (47.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 14,223 per 100,000 people (total: 150,385)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 255 per 100,000 people (total: 2,700)
South Carolina
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 637,309 (16.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,636,837 (32.2% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,538 per 100,000 people (total: 586,583)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 189 per 100,000 people (total: 9,631)
South Dakota
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 105,841 (16.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 363,211 (41.2% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 14,015 per 100,000 people (total: 123,644)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 226 per 100,000 people (total: 1,991)
Tennessee
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 847,962 (16.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,044,935 (30.2% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 12,671 per 100,000 people (total: 857,829)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 182 per 100,000 people (total: 12,322)
Texas
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 2,284,254 (10.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 9,455,859 (32.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,171 per 100,000 people (total: 2,919,239)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 174 per 100,000 people (total: 49,877)
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: 284,351 (12.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 928,948 (29.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 12,727 per 100,000 people (total: 402,325)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 71 per 100,000 people (total: 2,258)
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: 25,619 (5.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 296,399 (47.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 3,808 per 100,000 people (total: 23,847)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 40 per 100,000 people (total: 252)
Virginia
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 520,768 (8.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,465,698 (40.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,868 per 100,000 people (total: 670,184)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 129 per 100,000 people (total: 11,018)
Washington
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 541,119 (9.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,089,183 (41.0% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 5,609 per 100,000 people (total: 422,665)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 75 per 100,000 people (total: 5,619)
West Virginia
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 193,104 (14.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 588,566 (32.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,762 per 100,000 people (total: 158,230)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 153 per 100,000 people (total: 2,757)
Wisconsin
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 446,431 (10.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,435,051 (41.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,515 per 100,000 people (total: 669,427)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 133 per 100,000 people (total: 7,712)
Wyoming
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 113,664 (26.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 175,780 (30.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,226 per 100,000 people (total: 59,079)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 123 per 100,000 people (total: 712)
Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.
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