Trevor James
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout began in the United States on December 14, 2020, with a focus on the most vulnerable populations, including healthcare workers, residents of long-term care facilities, and people aged 65 and older. By April 2021, all states had made all adults eligible for the vaccine, and vaccination rates peaked at over 3 million shots administered per day. However, there were differences in vaccination rates across states, with Puerto Rico and some Northeastern states leading the way, while some Southeastern and Midwestern states lagged behind. As of September 2022, over 224 million people, or 67.5% of the total US population, were fully vaccinated, with 48.5% of this group receiving at least one booster shot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date when a majority of the US population was vaccinated | August 2021 |
| Percentage of the US population vaccinated by August 2021 | 67% with at least one dose; 49.7% fully vaccinated |
| Vaccine types | Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) |
| Date of emergency use authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech | December 10, 2020 |
| Date of emergency use authorization for Moderna | December 17, 2020 |
| Date of emergency use authorization for Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) | February 27, 2021 |
| Date when all US states opened vaccine eligibility to residents aged 16+ | April 19, 2021 |
| Date when FDA approved Pfizer-BioNTech for adolescents aged 12-15 | May 10, 2021 |
| Date when FDA granted full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech for individuals aged 16+ | August 23, 2021 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
COVID-19 vaccination rates in the US
Political affiliation has influenced COVID-19 vaccination rates in the US. When vaccines first became available in 2021, majorities of both Republicans and Democrats ages 65 and older received the vaccine. However, as additional doses have been offered, the uptake among older Republicans has declined more sharply than among older Democrats. In May 2025, 66% of Democrats ages 65 and older reported receiving the updated vaccine, compared to only 24% of Republicans in the same age group.
Racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates have also been observed. As of July 2022, across 36 states, 87% of Asian, 67% of Hispanic, 64% of White, and 59% of Black people had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. While disparities in vaccination rates between racial and ethnic groups have narrowed over time, they continue to persist.
Differences in COVID-19 vaccination rates are also evident across age groups. Within the Democratic Party, for example, adults under 50 are less likely to have received an updated COVID-19 vaccine compared to those ages 50 to 64 and 65 and older.
Overall, while COVID-19 vaccination rates in the US initially reached a majority, the uptake of subsequent doses and updated vaccines has been more limited, with variations across demographic groups.
Conjugated Vaccines: The Power of Linking
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$11.93 $21.99
Political leanings and vaccine hesitancy
By August 2021, a majority of US adults (69%) had been fully vaccinated. However, the uptake of the updated COVID-19 vaccine has been limited, with only 28% of US adults receiving it. This is despite public health campaigns encouraging adults to get both the flu shot and the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Several studies have found a link between political affiliation and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the US. Counties with a higher percentage of Republican supporters tend to have lower vaccination rates. This relationship holds even when controlling for other variables such as income, race, age, population density, and infection and death rates.
One study found that Republicans are significantly less likely than Democrats to be vaccinated, to want to be vaccinated, or to recommend vaccination to a friend. This partisan gap has widened over time, especially among older adults. For instance, in August 2021, 93% of Democrats and 78% of Republicans ages 65 and older said they had received all the shots needed to be fully vaccinated (a 15-point gap). By 2025, 66% of Democrats in this age group reported receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine, compared to only 24% of Republicans (a 42-point gap).
The reasons for this disparity are multifaceted. One factor is the influence of partisanship on Americans' concern over COVID-19, belief in vaccine conspiracy theories, and trust in government, science, and the medical profession. For example, during the pandemic's first year, Democrats were routinely about 40 points more likely than Republicans to view COVID-19 as a major threat to public health. Additionally, counties with a higher percentage of Republican supporters tend to be more rural, White, and have a higher percentage of residents over the age of 65 or under 18. These counties also tend to have lower unemployment rates, lower levels of traffic volume, lower housing costs, and lower median incomes.
Education and race also play a role in vaccine hesitancy. Having "some college" or "high school completion" is associated with higher vaccination rates. Additionally, while race is sometimes a direct predictor of vaccine hesitancy, it can also be an indirect predictor, with other mediators influencing the relationship.
The political divide in vaccine uptake has implications for public health policy. To increase COVID-19 vaccination rates, specialized outreach may be needed not only to specific socio-economic communities but also to specific partisan communities.
Antibodies: How They Attack Pathogens
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Vaccination and hospitalization rates
In the United States, a majority of adults (69%) had been fully vaccinated by August 2021. However, the demand for updated COVID-19 vaccines has been limited, with only 28% of US adults receiving the updated vaccine. This is in contrast to the initial vaccine rollout in 2021, which saw long lines and limited availability.
Vaccination rates vary across different demographic groups. For instance, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines (42% vs. 15%). Similarly, older Democrats are more likely to have received the updated vaccine than older Republicans (66% vs. 24%). Within the Democratic Party, adults under 50 are less likely to have received the updated vaccine than those aged 50 to 64 and 65 and older (30% vs. 48% vs. 66%).
Differences in vaccination rates are also evident across racial and ethnic lines. Among Democrats, White and English-speaking Asian individuals are more likely to have received the updated vaccine than Black and Hispanic individuals (50% and 42% vs. 32% each).
Hospitalization rates are significantly higher for unvaccinated individuals. From June to August 2021, it is estimated that 98.6% of hospital admissions with COVID-19 were among unvaccinated people. During the same period, 7,617 patients with COVID-19 breakthrough infections were hospitalized, with about 25% of these hospitalizations being asymptomatic or unrelated to COVID-19. Unvaccinated COVID-19 hospitalizations have resulted in billions of dollars in costs for the US health system. The high cost is due to the large number of preventable hospitalizations, with studies suggesting that vaccination can prevent up to 84% of hospitalizations.
Hep A Vaccine: Lifetime Protection or Booster Needed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Vaccination rates by age
Vaccination rates in the US vary by age, with older people more likely to be vaccinated than younger people. By August 2021, a majority of US adults (69%) had been fully vaccinated, and 93% of Democrats and 78% of Republicans over 65 said they had received all the shots needed to be fully vaccinated. However, by 2025, only 28% of US adults had received the updated COVID-19 vaccine, with a 42-point gap between Democrats and Republicans over 65.
Vaccination rates for children and adolescents also vary by age and the type of vaccine. For example, the CDC recommends that infants get their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth to protect them from liver damage and liver cancer. Infants younger than 8 months old during RSV season (typically fall through spring) should receive a one-dose RSV immunization to protect them against respiratory syncytial virus. Starting at 1 to 2 months of age, babies receive vaccines to develop immunity from potentially harmful diseases. Children younger than 5 years old are also at risk of serious illnesses such as Hib disease and polio, and they should get vaccinated against these diseases.
Adolescents and young adults have different vaccination recommendations as well. The CDC recommends that children ages 6 months to 17 years receive the influenza vaccine annually. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for adults ages 18–26.
Overall, vaccination rates in the US are high, with 81% of the population having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 70% being fully vaccinated as of August 2025. However, there are still disparities in vaccination rates by age and political affiliation, with older individuals and Democrats more likely to be vaccinated.
Plague Vaccine: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$5 $32.99
The impact of misinformation
By August 2021, a majority of US adults (69%) had been fully vaccinated. However, the spread of misinformation has been a significant barrier to achieving higher vaccination rates and full immunization of the eligible population.
A randomized controlled trial conducted in the UK and the US in September 2020 found that exposure to recent online misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines led to a decline in vaccination intent. The study showed a 6.4 percentage point decline in the US, which is likely to impede the achievement of herd immunity. This decline was more pronounced among females and certain sociodemographic groups, such as lower-income brackets.
Misinformation about vaccination safety has also influenced parents' decisions regarding recommending COVID-19 vaccines for their children. Studies have found a negative association between exposure to conspiratorial misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, impacting the likelihood of vaccinating children aged 5-11.
The spread of misinformation through social media and online sources has increased public anxiety and complicated public health efforts to provide accurate information. Scientific-sounding misinformation, emphasizing adverse effects using scientific imagery, has been particularly effective in lowering vaccination intent. Addressing these misconceptions and bolstering beliefs in the safety of authorized vaccines is crucial to increasing vaccination rates and protecting public health.
Vaccination Programs: 20th Century's Fight Against Diseases
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the US started on December 14, 2020.
The peak of the vaccination campaign in the US was in early April 2021, with more than 3 million shots administered per day.
As of August 2025, 70% of the US population, or over 230 million people, are fully vaccinated.
