Both states are ahead of the national average.

West Virginia is currently one of the leading states in the nation in terms of COVID-19 vaccination rates while Virginia is still behind.

According to an article from The New York Times, 16.3% of the West Virginia population has received at least one dose of the vaccine and 9.7% have received both doses. In Virginia, the numbers are 13.9% and 6.1% respectively. According to numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13.3% of the national population has received at least one dose of the vaccine and 5.9% have received two doses.

While both states are ahead of the national average, West Virginia is ahead of not only Virginia but also D.C. and Maryland. West Virginia is significantly smaller than Maryland and Virginia in terms of population, but the state has vaccinated more than 15% of its population, more than any surrounding state. D.C. is the only other territory in the vicinity that has achieved this.

According to a report from NPR, West Virginia has been 97% effective in distributing the vaccine while Virginia has only been 89% effective with its distribution efforts.

West Virginia has administered almost 450,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 9% of its population has gotten both doses; the only other state that has achieved 9% distribution on second doses is Alaska, the third smallest state by population.

Some experts have said that in order to achieve herd immunity, the nation would have to reach 70% to 75% vaccination. Others have said that the vaccination rate would have to be closer to 90% for herd immunity to kick in.

West Virginia’s vaccination rate contrasts the state’s reputation of poor health. West Virginia leads the nation in deaths from diabetes, accidents, and drug overdoses. It is also one of the leading states for both obesity and heart disease.