Iowa's Vaccination Rate 3rd Lowest In U.S.

The state of Iowa continues to be at the tail end of states in the United States when it comes to getting COVID-19 vaccines into arms. CBS2 reports that Iowa has the 3rd worst vaccination rate in the nation as the state passes the 5,000 death mark for people killed by the virus.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds placed some of the blame on the supply, or lack thereof, of vaccines for Iowa's low rate. CBS2 reports that the uncertainty has caused many healthcare providers to hesitant to set up appointments, fearing they won't have the vaccines needed, and will be then forced to cancel. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 6,315 people per 100,000 in Iowa have received the first dose of the vaccine. The only states with a worse rate are Idaho and Missouri.

States that are leading the nation in vaccination rates include West Virginia, New Mexico, Connecticut, and North Dakota. Their vaccination rates are between 9,000 and 10,000 people per 100,000 residents. Governor Reynolds says that healthcare officials are working with county workers to try and determine the reasons for the low vaccination rate.

CBS2 reports that public health officials reported 58 additional deaths on Thursday, bringing the total number of Iowans that have died due to COVID up to 5,033 since the pandemic began nearly one year ago. The current Iowa death count is the 16th highest per capita, at 157.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, according to John Hopkins University.