Some states could fully vaccinate their population aged 65 and over within two months, but it could take more than twice as long for others, a CNN analysis found.
If people 65 and older were the only people vaccinated, Alaska could fully vaccinate its seniors – with both photos of the two-dose regimen – within 43 days. In Iowa, Hawaii, Idaho and Florida, it could take more than 130 days or more than four months.
The analysis took into account the total elderly population in each state, along with the average rate of vaccine administration in the last seven days, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In four states, more than one in five people are 65 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau: Maine, Florida, West Virginia and Vermont.
At the current rate of vaccinations, Florida would take 131 days to fully vaccinate its elderly population if it were the only group that was vaccinated. However, West Virginia administers vaccines at a per capita rate that is about 32% faster than Florida and could fully vaccinate its elderly population in 87 days.
About two weeks ago, the federal government – under the Trump administration – issued new guidelines to states to expand vaccine eligibility to adults age 65 and older, along with health care workers and residents and long-term care staff. long. But both Florida and West Virginia have adapted their plans to focus on older populations more quickly.
Florida’s vaccination plan has left many frustrated by the apparent lack of coordination, but Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the state’s plan and emphasis on protecting the elderly.
“We put seniors first and other states soon followed,” he told a news conference.
About a quarter of Florida’s elderly population – more than 1.1 million people aged 65 and over – have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the latest state report.
In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice told a news conference Monday that nearly 74,000 seniors received at least one dose of the vaccine – about 20 percent of the state’s 65-year-old population.
While the administration of the vaccine may move faster in some states, the focus on the elderly population may not be as high.
In Michigan, for example, the vaccine is 17% faster than Florida. But only 17% of the elderly in the state received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine, according to the state dashboard.