As Minnesota plods along, our neighbors lead the nation in vaccine rollout

As these numbers are per capita, one cannot simply claim North Dakota is succeeding because of its sparse population.

A statue of a pioneer family outside the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck. Photo by A.J. Kaufman.

North Dakota not only tops Minnesota when it comes to job growth, cost of living, individual liberty and more, but also in fighting the coronavirus battle.

Health professionals in the Peace Garden State have administered nearly 80% of COVID-19 vaccine doses the state received, putting North Dakota atop the nation for a swift rollout.

While Minnesota has vaccinated about 3% per 100,000 people as of last week, North Dakota is well over 5%. Neighboring South Dakota also has been very successful.

As these numbers are per capita, one cannot simply claim North Dakota is succeeding because of its sparse population. Plenty of rural states, like Idaho, Kansas and Nevada, are also struggling to even reach 2 or 3%.

Kylie Hall, project coordinator with North Dakota State University’s Center for Immunization Research and Education, said well over half of the North Dakotans offered a vaccine already received it. Phase Two has already begun.

“Vaccines only work once they’re in your arm,” Hall told WDAY News in Fargo. “They’re not if they’re just sitting in a freezer. So I think one of the things that we’re really stressing right now is once you receive this vaccine, please make sure you’re administering it as soon as possible. We’re doing really, really well, and I think that’s a testament to our Department of Health, but also all those health care providers that are out there giving it to our staff and also to our long-term care facilities.”

A.J. Kaufman

A.J. Kaufman is an Alpha News columnist. His work has appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Florida Sun-Sentinel, Indianapolis Star, Israel National News, Orange County Register, St. Cloud Times, Star-Tribune, and across AIM Media Midwest and the Internet. Kaufman previously worked as a school teacher and military historian.