Since first discovered in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has spread worldwide and infected more than 107 million people. More than 2 million people worldwide, including 476,000 Americans, have died from the virus. New daily cases have spiked and plateaued multiple times in the US, with the latest spike reaching 308,443 cases on January 8, 2021.
However, there have been encouraging signs in the past month. There were 89,691 reported new cases in the US on February 7, and more than 1 million vaccines per day have been administered since January 23. The following states are leading the way in vaccine distribution per capita as of February 8.
Alaska
Given its population, it's not surprising that California led all states with 4.68 million vaccine doses administered as of February 8. However, the state was only 19th in doses administered per 100 people. Alaska led the way in that regard with 20.6 doses administered per 100 people and 150,934 total doses administered. At least 15 percent of its population had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 5.6 percent had received the requisite two doses. In contrast, only six states had completely vaccinated more than 4 percent of their population.
West Virginia
West Virginia ranked second with an average of 18.05 doses administered per 100 people. Moreover, 5.8 percent of its citizens had received both doses of the vaccine. The state's success in vaccine rollout is underscored by the trouble surrounding states have had—Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio had all given the full two doses of the vaccine to less than 3 percent of its population.
North Dakota
North Dakota and South Dakota have both effectively managed the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. The latter ranked sixth in doses administered per 100 people, while North Dakota was third with 17.03. North Dakota initially prioritized healthcare workers and nursing home staff and has since focused on individuals 65 years of age and older with increased priority on those older than 75. Qualifying individuals can access a list on the government website that shows where the vaccine is available.
New Mexico
Twelve percent of New Mexico residents received an initial shot of the COVID-19 vaccine as of February 8, and 4.2 percent of the population had been fully vaccinated. The state ranked fourth with 16.35 doses administered per 100 people. Despite this, many of those eligible for the vaccine in New Mexico have been traveling to Amarillo, Texas, to receive their shots. In Amarillo, providers are distributing doses without appointment, while in New Mexico, eligible patients have to wait weeks to get instructions from the state Department of Health.