BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Reluctance to get the COVID-19 shot is a key problem in the minds of many public health figures, but government data shows it may not be much of a problem here in Massachusetts.
An analysis of federal survey data released on April 6 shows Massachusetts is the least vaccine-hesitant state in the entire country.
Just 7% of the state said they would "probably" or "definitely" not get the COVID-19 vaccine when available, and a only 3% of the state said they would "definitely" not get the vaccine.
Compare that to the most hesitant state, Wyoming, where a full 31% of respondents said they would "probably" or "definitely" not get the COVID-19 vaccine. The survey used in the federal numbers was conducted between March 3 and March 15.
A county-by-county analysis makes the difference even starker. All Massachusetts counties rank within the top 35 for lack of vaccine hesitancy, out of a total of around 3,100 counties, and six Massachusetts counties dominate the top 10, occupying the top 6 slots. Suburbs south of Boston (Norfolk County) Metro West (Middlesex), North Shore (Essex) along with the Cape and Islands (Dukes, Barnstable, Nantucket) made up the top six.
Gov. Charlie Baker addressed the rankings in a press conference on Thursday.
"Data from the CDC shows that Massachusetts has the lowest vaccine hesitancy rate in the nation, with all of our counties showing hesitancy rates that are well below 10%. People in Massachusetts are eager to get vaccinated," he said.
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Written by Chaiel Schaffel
(Photo: Getty Images)