Rhode Island #1 state for percentage of population fully vaccinated

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- Rhode Island has been announced as the number one state in the country for percentage of the state’s population being fully vaccinated at 80 percent.

Rhode Island also ranked number three in the country for COVID-19 boosters at 37 percent. Rhode Island also tied for third in the country for child vaccinations.

There has been a 97 percent decrease in COVID-19 rates in the Ocean State since the omicron peak in early January, with hospitalizations decreasing by 52 percent as well.

“Rhode Islanders should be proud of the progress we’ve made together in getting our population fully vaccinated,” said Governor Dan McKee. “This milestone is an encouraging sign for the health of our state and the future of our economic recovery – but we cannot stop here. Our path out of this pandemic depends upon Rhode Islanders getting their boosters and staying up to date with their vaccines – and right now, that is our focus. We currently rank 3rd in the nation for boosters at over 37%. We have the momentum to increase that number – let’s keep it going.”

“Severe illness from COVID-19 is now largely preventable because of the primary series vaccines and booster doses that we have available,” said Interim Director of Health Jim McDonald, MD, MPH. “The success of Rhode Island’s vaccination campaign is a main reason why our hospitalization rate per case in January did not reach the levels that we saw at prior points in the pandemic. However, COVID-19 is still with us. It is critical that we all remain up to date with our COVID-19 vaccinations. Vaccination is fast, it’s easy, and it’s your best protection against serious illness from COVID-19.”