Which States Are Putting Biden’s July 4 Vaccination Goal In Jeopardy?

President Joe Biden has set a grand goal to have 70% of American adults vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by July 4. The number seemed doable, with 63% of the public already receiving one of their shots, but some states are stalling the plan and could put the target at risk.

COVID vaccine numbers are down after pacing along at a steady clip for months.

While several states have already reached their 70% target, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, and New Jersey, for vaccinating their population with the COVID vaccine, many have not.

The New York Times reported that at least 30 states will not reach the national goal of 70% by July, with as many as a handful not even close to meeting it by the end of the year, suggesting the pandemic is long from being over.

Data from the Times suggests that Alabama and Mississippi could take more than a year to vaccinate 70% of its adult residents while Wyoming would take 10 months, Louisiana seven months, and Oklahoma, Tennessee, and North Dakota six months each to reach that goal.

The South has been of particular concern when it comes to vaccinating Americans as Missouri, North Carolina, Arkansas, West Virginia, and South Carolina have around 50% of its population currently vaccinated, according to data from the news outlet.

But states such as Idaho, Montana, and Indiana, are also not faring well – also sitting around a 50% vaccination mark.

Shot hesitancy, as well as access to the vaccine, is playing a role in the percentage numbers.

A Gallup survey released on Monday showed that nearly 25% of Americans had no plans to get the COVID vaccine, which could potentially derail Biden’s plans. Respondents cited reasons such as vaccine safety, they don’t think they need the vaccine, and mistrust of vaccines, and allergies as reasons for not getting their shot.

But states across the country are doing their part to incentivize people to get their shot with prizes, giveaways, and $1 million lotteries. Kroger and CVS are also offering giveaways to the vaccine recipients, and Anheuser-Busch said it will give a free beer to everyone 21 and older when the U.S. reaches the 70% vaccination goal by July 4.