State reaches two million mark in vaccinations, positivity rate drops again

May 25, 2021

Steve Rogers,

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – The state crossed the two million mark in people with at least the first COVID vaccination shot as the positivity rate dropped again and the state recorded among the the lowest Tuesday number of new cases in months.

Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday 2,006,742 people have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in Kentucky.

“When you look at this, it is just a miracle,” said Beshear. “Fifteen months after the first case of COVID-19 in Kentucky, not only do we have effective vaccines, but we have 2 million people vaccinated. It’s really exciting.”

Among those, more than 23,000 are kids between 12 and 15. Overall, 56% of the eligible state population are vaccinated.

Vaccinations rose significantly last week as youngsters 12 to 15 joined other Kentuckians in rolling up their sleeves for the shots, the governor said.

Slightly more than 80% of people ages 65 and older in Kentucky have been vaccinated, while more than 60% of people ages 50 to 64 have gotten the shots, according to state statistics. The vaccination rate dropped to 31% among Kentuckians ages 18 to 29.

“Again, we need to do better, especially in our younger age groups,” the governor said.

The virus’s incidence rate is much higher among younger Kentuckians, and “it’s directly associated with whether you’re vaccinated,” Beshear said at a news conference.

The governor reported 580 new coronavirus cases and five more virus-related deaths Tuesday.

The Governor also noted Moderna announced its COVID-19 vaccine is 100% effective in a study of adolescents ages 12 to 17. The company said it plans to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to expand the emergency use of its vaccine for this age group early next month.

If approved, it would be the second COVID-19 vaccine available for this age group, as Pfizer’s vaccine has already been approved for ages 12 and older.

Finally, the Governor said this week, he renewed the executive order prohibiting price gouging.

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, the state reported:

New cases today: 580
Positivity rate: 2.52%, down from 2.61% Monday.

For information on cases and hospital capacity, see the full daily COVID-19 report. To see a list of those reported lost to the virus today, click here.

The top five counties by percent of residents vaccinated are: Woodford (60%), Franklin (58%), Fayette (57%), Scott (50%) and Boone (50%).

The bottom five counties by percent of residents vaccinated are: Christian (19%), Spencer (19%), Ballard (21%), McCreary (22%) and Lewis (22%).

To see all vaccination sites and free transportation options to and from vaccination appointments, visit vaccine.ky.gov. To see a list of vaccination sites that have openings this week, visit vaccinemap.ky.gov. If Kentuckians have questions, they should call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline, 855-598-2246 or TTY 855-326-4654 (for deaf or hard-of-hearing Kentuckians).

For detailed information on COVID-19 vaccinations and more, visit kycovid19.ky.gov.