RI Ranked 3rd Most Vaccinated State in U.S.

RI Ranked 3rd Most Vaccinated State in U.S.

Rhode Island is ranked as one of the most vaccinated states in the U.S. 

According to a recent study completed by WalletHub, RI is the third most vaccinated state in the country. 

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“Vaccinations are some of the most valuable contributions to modern medicine. They have drastically reduced the prevalence of certain diseases, including polio, tetanus, measles, and chickenpox. One disease, smallpox, has even been eradicated completely, with no natural cases since 1977,” writes WalletHub.

Four of the six New England states rank in the top five for most vaccinated.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that vaccines prevented at least 10 million deaths worldwide just between the years of 2010 and 2015. A similar study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found vaccines prevented 732,000 deaths in the U.S. between 1994 and 2013, as well as eliminated $1.38 trillion in total societal costs that those diseases would have caused,” adds WalletHub.

Vaccinations in Rhode Island

• 1st – Influenza Vaccination Rate in Children Aged 6 Months to 17 Years Old
• 1st – Share of Teenagers aged 13-17 Years Old with Up-To-Date HPV Vaccination
• 1st – Share of Teenagers aged 13-17 Years Old with Men ACWY Vaccination
• 5th – Flu Vaccination Coverage Rate Among Adults
• 20th – Share of Adults with Tetanus Vaccination
• 16th – Share of Adults Aged 60 Years and Older with Zoster Vaccination
• 6th – Share of Children 19-35 Months old Living in Poverty with Combined 7-Vaccine Series
• 9th – Share of Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population without Health Insurance Coverage
• 11th – Share of Children Under 6 Years Old Participating in an Immunization Information System

 

The Rankings

The top five most vaccinates states are:

1. Massachusetts

2. Vermont

3. Rhode Island

4. North Dakota

5. New Hampshire

 

See the full rankings in the Map Below

The Method

In order to determine the states in the U.S. that vaccinate most, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across three key dimensions: 1) Children & Teenagers Immunization Rates, 2) Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates and 3) Immunization Uptake Disparities & Influencing Factors.

They evaluated the three dimensions using 18 relevant metrics.

Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions.

Lastly, WalletHub determined each state and the District’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and ranking.  

Children & Teenagers Vaccination Rates – Total Points: 40

• Share of Children Aged 19-35 Months with Combined 7-Vaccine Series: Triple Weight (~13.33 Points)
• Influenza Vaccination Rate in Children Aged 6 Months to 17 Years: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Share of Teenagers Aged 13-17 Years with Up-To-Date HPV Vaccination: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Share of Teenagers Aged 13-17 Years with Tdap Vaccination: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Share of Teenagers Aged 13-17 Years with MenACWY Vaccination: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• States Where Minors Can Get Vaccinated Without Parental Consent : Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Vaccinations Required for Public School Kindergarten Access: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)

 

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rate – Total Points: 40

• Adult Flu Vaccination Rate: Full Weight (~10.00 Points)
• Share of Adults Aged 18-64 Years at Increased Risk with Pneumococcal Vaccination: Full Weight (~10.00 Points)
• Share of Adults with Tetanus Vaccination: Full Weight (~10.00 Points)
• Share of Adults Aged 60 Years and Older with Zoster Vaccination: Full Weight (~10.00 Points)

 

Immunization Uptake Disparities & Influencing Factors – Total Points: 20

• Change in Children Immunization Uptake (2017 vs 2012): Double Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Share of Children Aged 19-35 Months Living in Poverty with Combined 7-Vaccine Series: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Presence of Reported Measles Outbreaks: Double Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Share of People Without Health Insurance: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Share of Population Living in a Primary-Care HPSA (Health Professional Shortage Area): Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Annual Economic Burden of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases for Adults Aged 50 Years and Older per Population 50 Years and Older: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Share of Population Participating in an Immunization Information System (IIS): Full Weight (~2.22 Points)