How Many People In The US Are Vaccinated Against COVID-19?

As of November 29, over 7 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in over 200 countries (via CNN). Our World in Data reports that the top three countries with the highest vaccination rates are the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Cuba. As of this writing, the United Arab Emirates ranks ahead of the rest of the world with 98.10% of their population being either partially or fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Singapore tallies in at a close second with a 92.99% total vaccination rate, and Cuba stands at a total of 89.79%. 

Here in the United States, the Biden-Harris administration met its goal of administering 200 million vaccine doses within President Joe Biden's first 100 days in office (via CNN). But where exactly does the U.S. currently stand with vaccination rates now that we're approaching the end of 2021, and what factors may be contributing to these numbers?

Vaccination rates vary by age, race, and sex

As of this writing, over 454 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been issued across the United States (via CNN). According to data updated on November 28, this 68.79% of the U.S. population is either partially or fully vaccinated against the virus (via Our World in Data). The states currently leading with the highest rates of partial vaccination are those in the Northeast, with Massachusetts ranking at 84.78%, followed by New Hampshire at 84.72%, and Vermont standing at 84.31%, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Vaccination rates tend to vary by age, sex, and race. For example, women in the U.S. have higher rates of vaccination than men, with full vaccination rates among women standing around 61% compared to 57% of men as of November 24 (via CDC). In addition, those aged 65 to 74 have the highest rates of vaccination in the U.S., whereas 18- to 24-year-olds have the lowest vaccination rates among adults. According to CNN, white individuals are being vaccinated at higher rates than Black and Hispanic individuals. This data reflects, in part, the systemic healthcare barriers faced by minority populations across the country (via CDC).