AUSTIN, Texas — When it comes to vaccination rates across the U.S., Texas has one of the lowest in the country.
According to a WalletHub study analyzing states that vaccinate the most, Texas ranks at 48, only ranking ahead of New Jersey, Georgia and Mississippi. The top three states were Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire.
To come up with its numbers, Wallethub examined the 50 states plus the District of Columbia across 18 key categories. Those included data set ranges from the share of vaccinated children to the share of people without health insurance and to the presence of reported measles outbreaks.
The report also gave each state a ranking in three main categories:
- Children and teenagers immunization rates
- Adult and elderly vaccination rates
- Immunization uptake disparities and factors
Texas earned a ranking of 49, 41 and 36, respectively, in those categories – giving it a total score of 34.67. The top state, Massachusetts, earned a score of 79.38. Meanwhile, Mississippi, which ranked last in all three of these categories, earned a score of 16.36.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released a video urging every Texan to get a flu vaccine as the coronavirus pandemic continues. He's making the push to ensure that hospitalizations stay down so hospitals aren't overwhelmed with potentially both coronavirus and flu patients.
"I got mine today," Gov. Abbott said. "I can tell you it is the best way to reduce your chances of contracting and spreading the flu."
Abbott said Texas is already in the flu season.
Another key indicator in the Wallethub study: "Highest Share of Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population without Heal Insurance Coverage," did not fare well in Texas. The state ranked last.
"Vaccines are incredibly important, but in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent anti-vaccination trends, it’s clear that the public needs greater education on their benefits and how they work," WalletHub said.
The report can be read in full here.
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