How Ohio's COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Compares To Michigan, Others

COLUMBUS, OH — Less than 5 percent of Ohioans have started the COVID-19 vaccination process, according to the state health department.

Approximately 482,000 Ohioans have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the Ohio Department of Health said Thursday. There are nearly 11.8 million Ohioans, based off the most recent U.S. Census data.

Ohio recently expanded who can receive the COVID-19 vaccine, allowing the general population to start the process for the first time. The state is still finishing vaccinating front-line health care workers and residents and staff in nursing homes. But the process of vaccinating the public began only this week, with Ohioans 80 and older becoming eligible to receive the vaccine.

Ohio's vaccination rate — about 4.5 percent as of Thursday — may seem low, but it's actually on par with that of some neighboring states.

Here's a look at what Ohio's neighbors have accomplished in vaccine rollout, according to their respective state health departments (all data is current as of Wednesday).

• Michigan: With a population of nearly 10 million people, it has administered more than 465,801 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine, and 552,713 doses overall, the state health department said. That means 4.8 percent of Michigan's population has started the vaccination process.
• Pennsylvania: With a population of 12.8 million, it has administered 454,879 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the state health department, 88,450 residents have completed the vaccination process. That means 3.5 percent of the state's population has started the vaccination process.
• Kentucky: With a population of 4.4 million, it has administered 232,127 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. That means 5.3 percent of the population may have started the vaccination process (Kentucky does not track first versus second doses administered).
• West Virginia: With a population of 1.7 million, it has administered 132,192 first doses of the vaccine, and 24,181 residents have completed the vaccination process. That means 7.8 percent of the population has started the vaccination process.
• Indiana: With a population of 6.7 million, it has administered 362,452 first doses of the vaccine and completed the vaccination process for 87,506 residents. That means 5.4 percent of the population has started the vaccination process.
• Illinois: With a statewide population of 12.6 million, it has fully vaccinated less than 1 percent of its residents and administered nearly 500,000 doses of the vaccine. That means 3.5 percent of the state has at least started the vaccination process.