State vaccination rates see improvements over the last month, data shows

The state and country has made a lot of progress in the last month.

Just over 11,500 infections were reported Friday by the Florida Department of Health.

While that number is still high, cases actually peaked in mid-January.

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“The number of virus cases have gone down by 42%, which is significant,” said statistician Eric Solomon.

The state is vaccinating significantly more people on average a day versus the number of people who are getting sick.

That’s an improvement over a month ago, when the state was barely vaccinating more people than were getting sick.

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Solomon said, so far, about 25% of Floridians 65 years and older have gotten at least their first shot of a vaccine.

At the current rate, it’ll likely take another two months to reach 100% vaccinated, Solomon said. To vaccinate all Floridians, it’ll take “well over a year,” he said.

However, with the potential third vaccine, it could take less time. Or, it could take more time with a more contagious COVID-19 variant now spreading through the state.

READ: Florida reports 11,500 new COVID-19 cases; 2 local counties reach 1,000 recorded deaths

Statewide, Sumter County has the biggest share of its residents vaccinated with at least one dose. The county also has the highest average age.

However, five counties in Central Florida are below the state’s average of 6.3%.

Data also shows far fewer minorities are getting vaccinated as compared to their white counterparts.

READ: Florida pilot program aims to bring COVID-19 vaccines to homebound seniors

Local and state officials say they’re working to make the vaccine distribution more equitable.

Cox Media Group