How Arizona's Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout Compares To Others

ARIZONA — Less than 5 percent of Arizonans have started the COVID-19 vaccination process, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Approximately 347,013 Arizonans have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the health department said Thursday. There are nearly 7.3 million Arizonans, based off the most recent U.S. Census data.

Arizona recently expanded who can receive the coronavirus vaccine, allowing those age 65 and older to receive the shot at the two state vaccination sites. All other sites are still focusing on seniors 75 and older, educators and first responders.

Arizona's vaccination rate — about 4.8 percent as of Thursday — may seem low, but it's actually on par with many of its neighboring states.

Here's a look at what Arizona's neighbors have accomplished in vaccine rollout, according to each state health department. The data is current as of Wednesday.

• New Mexico: With a population of just over 2 million people, it has administered more than 162,995 cumulative doses, the state health department said. That means 7.7 percent of the state's population has been given at least one dose of the vaccine.
• California: With a population of 39.5 million, it has administered 1,626,542 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That means 4.1 percent of the state's population has been given at least one dose of the vaccine.
• Utah: With a population of 3.2 million, it has administered 156,111 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. That means 4.8 percent of the population have been given the first dose of the vaccine.
• Colorado: With a population of 5.7 million, it has administered 298,314 first doses of the vaccine, and 54,541 residents have completed the vaccination process. That means 5.23 percent of the population has started the vaccination process.
• Nevada: With a population of about 3.1 million, it has administered 68,726 first doses of the vaccine, while 16,665 have been given both doses. That means 2.2 percent of the population has started the vaccination process.

Arizona reported 9,398 new coronavirus cases and 244 additional deaths on Thursday.