Vaccinations are among the greatest innovations in medical science. They can prevent lethal diseases and help us live healthier lives. According to WHO, immunization prevents around 4 to 5 million deaths annually. So, let’s look at the states with the highest vaccination rates as per the WalletHub’s survey..

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is ranked number one in overall vaccination rates. It has the highest influenza vaccination rate in children. It also ranks first in children’s and teenagers’ immunization rates. Adult and elderly vaccination rank 12th. This suggests that Massachusetts strongly focuses on vaccination across all age groups.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is ranked second overall in vaccination rates. It has very high vaccination rates for children, teenagers, and adults. This might be due to factors like a large portion of the population having health insurance, which helps parents get their children vaccinated.

Iowa

With an overall score of 70.01, Iowa ranks third in vaccination rates among US states. It performs exceptionally well for adults with tetanus vaccination. The focus on public health initiatives targeting adults or workplace vaccination programs could explain this.

Vermont

Vermont has a high overall vaccination rate, ranking at number 4. It particularly excels in childhood immunizations and teen HPV vaccination rates. This might be due to solid school vaccination programs. Such programs have positive effects in increasing awareness about the importance of vaccinations.

Connecticut

Connecticut ranks fifth overall in vaccination rates. It has strong childhood and teenage vaccination rates, ranking third in this category. Adults in Connecticut also have high vaccination rates for flu and pneumonia. This could be due to a combination of factors, such as effective public health campaigns and easy access to vaccinations.

Washington

Washington state is sixth among the fifty states in overall vaccination rates, surpassing most US states in this area. It shows strong performance across all categories. The state ranks tenth in immunizing children and teenagers. For adults and older people, its rank stands at sixth

North Dakota

North Dakota is ranked number seven overall in the United States vaccination rates. It has high rates of vaccination for many childhood diseases. It includes many lethal diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, varicella, and HPV. North Dakota also has a high rate of influenza vaccination in children.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin ranks 8th out of 51 in vaccination rates. It performs exceptionally well for adult segments, ranking second in the country for adult and elderly vaccination rates. However, Wisconsin ranks lower for childhood vaccinations (18th).

New Hampshire

New Hampshire holds the ninth position in overall vaccination rates. It excels in vaccinating children and teenagers, securing the fourth rank, especially in flu, HPV, and Tdap vaccinations. Yet, its ranking drops to 35th for flu vaccinations for adults.

Colorado

Colorado ranks 10th out of 51 for overall vaccination rates. Similar to Washington state, Colorado performs well in vaccinating children and teenagers. It has high rates of HPV vaccination and Tdap vaccination in teenagers. However, adult vaccination rates in Colorado are lower than child vaccination rates.

Maine

Maine has a relatively high vaccination rate, ranking at number 11. This is due to high vaccination rates for both children and adults. Additionally, there is a low disparity in vaccination uptake in Maine. This suggests that Maine conducts successful programs to reach the population. It is the ultimate way to address vaccine hesitancy.

Maryland

Maryland ranked 12th overall in vaccination rates. It performs well in vaccinating children and teenagers (ranking 7th). However, things are the same for adults. Adult vaccination rates in Maryland are lower (ranking 15th). Plus, it has low immunization uptake disparities (ranking 9th),

Pennsylvania

With a total score of 65.09, Pennsylvania is currently ranked 13th for vaccination rates. It has achieved 5th in child vaccination rates but is 19th for adult vaccinations. The state is making significant efforts to improve in this segment. Pennsylvania ranks 3rd in reducing immunization disparities.

North Carolina

North Carolina comes in at 14th overall. It excels in vaccinating children (ranking 4th). Adult vaccination rates are quite lower (ranking 26th). However the state is trying to resolve it. It ranks 5th in immunization uptake disparities thus indicating focus on addressing vaccine hesitancy.

Minnesota

Minnesota is ranked 15th overall. Interestingly, Minnesota has high adult vaccination rates (ranking 5th), which is great. However, the lower rates for children (ranking 35th) caused it to rank so low overall. It ranked 10th in immunization uptake disparities. This suggests a moderate success in addressing vaccine hesitancy across all age groups.

Virginia

Virginia ranked 16th overall. Vaccination rates for both children (ranking 12th) and adults (ranking 14th) were around the national average. However, Virginia ranked lower in immunization uptake disparities (25th). This suggests room for improvement in reaching certain populations.

Oregon

Oregon ranked 17th overall in vaccination rates. It performs well in vaccinating children and teenagers (ranking 10th). However, adult vaccination rates are around the national average (ranking 14th). Oregon has a flu vaccination coverage rate of 61.29% among adults. The state ranks for adult flu vaccination rates.

Nebraska

Nebraska’s rank is 18th in terms of overall vaccination. The adult vaccination rates in Nebraska are slightly higher than the national average (16th). So are the child and teen vaccination rates (ranking 25th). However, Nebraska has lower disparities compared to the national average (ranking 13th). This gives hope for the future.

South Dakota

South Dakota stands out for its high adult vaccination rates, particularly for the Tdap, MenACWY, and Zoster vaccines. It also has a high rate of children aged 19-35 months living in poverty who have received the combined 7-vaccine series. Overall, South Dakota ranks 19th in the nation regarding vaccination rates.

Utah

Utah ranks 20th overall in vaccination rates. Although it has a decent ranking for children and teenagers (16th), adult vaccination rates in Utah are lower (ranking 21st). This is particularly evident in low adult flu vaccination rates and rates of adults with tetanus vaccination.