Some states could vaccinate their seniors twice as fast as others, CNN analysis shows

Some states could fully immunize their population 65 and over within two months, but others could take more than twice as long, according to a CNN analysis.

If people aged 65 and over were the only people to be vaccinated, Alaska could fully immunize its seniors – with both injections of the two-dose regimen – within 43 days. In Iowa, Hawaii, Idaho and Florida, it could take over 130 days, or even over four months.

The analysis took into account the total elderly population in each state, as well as the average rate of vaccine administration over the past seven days, according to data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In four states, more than one in five people is 65 or older, according to US Census Bureau data: Maine, Florida, West Virginia and Vermont.

At the current rate of vaccinations, it would take Florida 131 days to fully immunize its elderly population if it were the only group to be vaccinated. However, West Virginia is administering vaccines at a per capita rate about 32% faster than Florida, and could fully immunize its elderly population in 87 days.

About two weeks ago, the federal government – under the Trump administration – released new guidelines to states to extend vaccine eligibility to adults 65 and older, as well as healthcare workers, residents and long-term care staff. But Florida and West Virginia had adjusted their plans to focus on older populations earlier.

Florida’s vaccination plan has left many frustrated with an apparent lack of coordination, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has championed the state’s plan and the focus on protecting the elderly.

“We are prioritizing the elderly and other states quickly followed suit,” he said at a press conference.

About a quarter of Florida’s senior population – over 1.1 million people 65 years of age or older – had received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the state’s latest vaccination report.

In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice told a news conference on Monday that nearly 74,000 older people had received at least one dose of the vaccine – about 20% of the state’s population 65 and over. .

While vaccine delivery may progress faster in some states, the focus on the elderly population may not be as high.

In Michigan, for example, vaccine administration is 17% faster than in Florida. But only 17% of the state’s seniors have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, according to the state’s Vaccine Dashboard.