Vermont leads U.S. in administering COVID-19 vaccine
American flags are displayed on the Ora E. Paul memorial marker on the Woodstock Village Green. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Vermont has been the most successful state in the nation at getting people vaccinated against COVID-19, according to statistics released this week.
It has the most vaccinations per 100,000 people of any state in the U.S., Vermont officials noted at Tuesday's press briefing. That same day, the CDC reported the state had administered 94,499 doses per 100,000 people.
Vermont's statewide reopening plan depends on hitting vaccination targets, and state officials have said Vermont is on track to have all pandemic restrictions lifted by July 4.
Human Services Secretary Mike Smith on Tuesday urged those Vermonters who haven't gotten vaccinated yet, to do so.
"Your cooperation is critical for us to reach the next milestones in the Vermont Forward plan,” Smith said.
Tuesday's press conference included a few references to Mother's Day, which is just around the corner on May 9. Some particular good news could make a great gift, said Michael Pieciak, the financial regulation commissioner, who presented the state's latest COVID-19 data Tuesday.
"There is certainly no better gift you can give your mom than by taking care of yourself, your friends and yourself by getting vaccinated as soon as possible,” Pieciak said.
Of the next Vermonters to be vaccinated, they're most likely to be under age 40 at this point. Pieciak noted that 78% of Vermonters age 40 and over have started or completed vaccination, but that statistic is 41% for those under age 40. The vaccination rate is lowest for the 18-29 age group — the last group which became eligible under the state's phased plan.
Still, Vermont's overall trends point to a continued decline in COVID cases through May and June, given its high vaccination rate. The cases reported in the last two weeks are the lowest numbers Vermont has seen in nearly six months, Pieciak emphasized, and hospitalizations should continue to drop. As a region, the Northeast is seeing its lowest amount of cases since early November.
Looking to the coming days, a key focus for the state will be allowing more walk-ins at vaccination clinics, and more pop-up clinics. A series of clinics on college campuses will allow walk-ins during the upcoming week, including on May 8 at Castleton University. Also coming up is a May 7 clinic at the Tunbridge fairgrounds. Registration is preferred for that clinic, but a few walk-ins will be accepted, Smith said Tuesday. Further details on these and other pop-up clinics are being added online at: healthvermont.gov/myvaccine. People can also sign up for vaccine appointments on that website or call 855-722-7878.
As of Tuesday morning, over 351,000 Vermonters had been vaccinated, meaning that over 54% have either started or completed vaccination.
— Gareth Henderson
