Vermont has at least partially vaccinated 80 percent of residents 12 and older, so any remaining state pandemic restrictions can be lifted, Governor Phil Scott said Monday.
Federal data confirmed the state first passed the 80 percent milestone, while elsewhere, vaccination rates have jeopardized President Biden’s national goal of shooting at least 70 percent of adults over the age of 18 in the arms by July 4.
“I’m very proud to announce that Vermont is now the first state in the nation to vaccinate over 80 percent of its population aged 12 and over,” Scott said at a news conference Monday.
Vermont is very successful in dealing with the coronavirus. A New York Times database shows that the state has reported fewer cases and fewer deaths relative to population than any other state except Hawaii. Vermont has vaccinated 83 percent of its adult population aged 18 years or older; Hawaii and Massachusetts are the only other states that have exceeded 80 percent with this measure.
“Not only do we run the United States, Vermont is now the world leader in vaccines to fight Covid-19,” said Scott. “Our state has shown the world what is possible when a group of people with the right mindset follow the data and trust medical science.”
The number of new positive tests reported daily across the country appears to be leveling off after having been steadily declining for months. Experts fear that states with low vaccination rates, especially in the south, could trigger new outbreaks.
Mr. Scott, a Republican, lifted his state’s mask mandate and capacity restrictions on vaccinated individuals on May 14. He said the Vermont state of emergency would end on Tuesday.
“It’s really very simple: there are no more government Covid-19 restrictions,” he said.
The people of Vermont still have to abide by federal pandemic regulations and companies are allowed to put in place security measures like requiring masks if their owners so wish, he said.
“Companies have to make that decision,” said Scott.
Many states have relaxed or lifted most of their pandemic restrictions, including some with vaccination rates far lower than Vermont’s.
Mr. Scott commended public health officials for his state’s testing program and vaccine implementation. But he found that Vermont’s work was far from over.
“We will continue to vaccinate as many Vermonters as possible because any vaccination that is given today, tomorrow and in the coming weeks is just as important as the one we gave yesterday,” he said.
Amy Schoenfeld Walker contributed the reporting.
