Georgia is one of the least vaccinated states in the US as flu season nears, study says

Chelsea Madden
·3 min read
2

Flu season is coming fast and with it comes the decision to get a flu vaccine.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 is still a threat and vaccines are available.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that vaccines prevent around 4 to 5 million deaths per year.

Diseases such as polio, tetanus, measles and chicken pox have all been reduced because of vaccines. In fact, smallpox has even been eradicated completely, with no natural cases since 1977.

However, a recent study by WalletHub found that some states in the country are better than others about getting vaccinated.

And Georgia is a state with one of the lowest vaccination rates, as it is ranked as the fourth least vaccinated state in the U.S.

The study’s findings

The study, called “2023’s States that Vaccinate the Most,” analyzed all 50 states and the Washington D.C., specifically looking at three key dimensions:

  • children & teenagers immunization rates

  • adult & elderly vaccination Rates

  • immunization uptake disparities & influencing factors

Within those three dimensions, the study also studied factors such as flu vaccine rates, share of teens with certain vaccines, vaccinations required by schools and people without health insurance.

Each state was then given a score on a 100 point scale in each of the three categories, with 100 being the best vaccinated. Then each score was averaged and ranked.

How Georgia scored

Georgia received an overall score of 40 out of 100.

Here’s a breakdown of the three categories:

  • children & teenagers immunization rates: 45

  • adult & elderly vaccination rates: 46

  • immunization uptake disparities & influencing factors: 43

The study also revealed that Georgia has one of the highest rates of population without health insurance. It was ranked 49th.

In comparison, here’s how other Southern states ranked:

  • South Carolina wasn’t too far ahead, with a score of 48.

  • Florida is just below South Carolina, with a score of 44.

  • Louisiana received an overall score of 42.93.

  • Alabama got a score of 42.85 out of 100.

  • And in dead last place, with the lowest vaccination rate in the country, is Mississippi with a score of 18.

What the experts say about vaccines

So, why is it that some states are less vaccinated than others?

Experts say it could be any number of things: insurance, education and even the media’s opinions.

“In the U.S., media plays a tremendous role in shaping the culture and behaviors of our society. One way to frame the media’s role is in the context of cognitive bias theories such as negativity bias, “ said Maribeth Kradel-Weitzel, assistant provost at Thomas Jefferson University.

Here are some tips from other experts when considering vaccinations:

  • Get educated. According to Thomas Feeley from the University of Buffalo: “One of the challenges is education and communicating what a vaccine does (and does not do) and why it only works if we, as a community, or “herd,” all participate. It is not just for me; it is for my family, friends, and people surrounding me.”

  • Talk to your doctor. “A strong, unequivocal recommendation from a physician to get vaccinated is one of the strongest predictors of whether an individual gets vaccinated. Physicians who regularly engage with the community outside of the clinic are more likely to have these opportunities to discuss vaccines,” said Abram L. Wagner, assistant professor of epidemiology and global public health at the University of Michigan.

How do you feel about this study’s findings? Comment below or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com