US Vaccine Drive Falls To 'One Of Its Lowest Points' As Cases Soar

Bloomberg / Updated: Jan 16, 2022

The number of new people getting the Covid vaccine is at one of the lowest points since the rollout began, according to a review of the US government data, even as average daily cases approach 800,000. While millions of doses are being administered each week, the majority of those are now booster shots.

Officials at the state and federal levels have tried everything from free beer and cash to get people onboard. In many places, they've succeeded. In New York City, 74% of the population is fully vaccinated. But in other places, no amount of prizes or the fear of getting sick, seems able to move the rates.

In West Virginia, 44% of the population hasn't been fully vaccinated. In Mississippi and Alabama, over half of people haven't been fully vaccinated. Most doses now going into arms are boosters, according to a seven-day average of CDC data. On January 13, about 387,000 boosters were given in the US, compared with 289,000 first or second doses. The divide is even sharper in less-vaccinated places.

In Louisiana and West Virginia, about 60% of doses are booster shots and first shots are near their low point. And the Biden administration's most potent tool to push vaccines has been wiped out: The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled out a mandate requiring staff at large employers to either be vaccinated or face regular testing. 

Bloomberg