These 10 counties have the highest and lowest COVID vaccination rates in North Carolina

As the COVID-19 delta variant continues to spread in North Carolina, vaccination rates across the state’s 100 counties vary significantly — from as low as 35% to as high as 80%.

The disparities come as every county in the state displays high levels of community spread, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has warned that people who are not vaccinated are at greater risk of contracting the virus, and of developing a serious illness as a result of it. Last month, DHHS reported more than 94% of recent cases in the state were among those who were not fully vaccinated.

Despite growing concerns over breakthrough cases, when someone contracts COVID-19 despite being vaccinated, vaccines have remained safe and effective, according to health officials.

As of Aug. 16, roughly 0.004% of the 168 million fully vaccinated people in the U.S. had reported a hospitalization due to a breakthrough case of the virus, the CDC reported. Roughly 0.001% of those fully vaccinated had reported deaths.

And on Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, which had previously been authorized for emergency use. Only the Pfizer vaccine remains available to those 12 and older.

The news came just days after N.C. health officials said people who have not been vaccinated are four times more likely to contract COVID-19 than those who are vaccinated, The News & Observer reported.

“This not where we want to be, but we have a sure way out: vaccines,” Gov. Roy Cooper said at a press briefing last week.

Here’s a look at which counties have the highest and lowest vaccine rates in North Carolina, according to the state health department on Aug. 27.

NC counties with the highest vaccine rates

1. Orange County

Orange County has the highest vaccination rate in the state, with 80% of people at least partially vaccinated and 77% fully vaccinated against the virus.

Those figures jump to 93% and 89% respectively for the county’s adult population 18 and older.

In total, the county has at least partially vaccinated 119,463 people, while 114,469 of those are fully vaccinated.

Over the past 14 days, the county has reported 327 new cases per 100,000 residents, with an average of 3.3% of tests returning positive.

2. Dare County

Dare County has the second highest vaccination rate in the state, with 68% of people at least partially vaccinated and 63% fully vaccinated against the virus.

Those figures jump to 80% and 75% respectively for the county’s adult population.

In total, the county has at least partially vaccinated 25,032 people, while 23,386 of those are fully vaccinated.

Over the past 14 days, the county has reported 857 new cases per 100,000 residents, with an average of 9.4% of tests returning positive.

3. Wake County

Wake County has the third highest vaccination rate in the state, with 65% of people at least partially vaccinated and 61% fully vaccinated against the virus.

Those figures jump to 78% and 74% respectively for the county’s adult population.

In total, the county has at least partially vaccinated 718,394 people, while 676,573 of those are fully vaccinated.

Over the past 14 days, the county has reported 747 new cases per 100,000 residents, with an average of 8.4% of tests returning positive.

4. Durham County

Durham County has the fourth highest vaccination rate in the state, with 63% of people at least partially vaccinated and 59% fully vaccinated against the virus.

Those figures jump to 75% and 71% respectively for the county’s adult population.

In total, the county has at least partially vaccinated 203,489 people, while 190,790 of those are fully vaccinated.

Over the past 14 days, the county has reported 526 new cases per 100,000 residents, with an average of 7.4% of tests returning positive.

5. Buncombe County

Buncombe County has the fifth highest vaccination rate in the state, with 63% of people at least partially vaccinated and 59% fully vaccinated against the virus.

Those figures jump to 73% and 69% respectively for the county’s adult population.

In total, the county has at least partially vaccinated 164,413 people, while 155,007 of those are fully vaccinated.

Over the past 14 days, the county has reported 657 new cases per 100,000 residents, with an average of 10.1% of tests returning positive.

NC counties with the lowest vaccine rates

96. Randolph County

Randolph County has the fifth lowest vaccination rate in the state, with 38% of people at least partially vaccinated and 34% fully vaccinated against the virus.

Those figures jump to 47% and 43% respectively for the county’s adult population.

In total, the county has at least partially vaccinated 54,604 people, while 49,422 of those are fully vaccinated.

Over the past 14 days, the county has reported 617 new cases per 100,000 residents, with an average of 11.7% of tests returning positive.

97. Duplin County

Duplin County has the fourth lowest vaccination rate in the state, with 37% of people at least partially vaccinated and 32% fully vaccinated against the virus.

Those figures jump to 46% and 41% respectively for the county’s adult population.

In total, the county has at least partially vaccinated 21,836 people, while 19,046 of those are fully vaccinated.

Over the past 14 days, the county has reported 1,147 new cases per 100,000 residents, with an average of 13.6% of tests returning positive.

98. Gates County

Gates County has the third lowest vaccination rate in the state, with 36% of people at least partially vaccinated and 33% fully vaccinated against the virus.

Those figures jump to 44% and 40% respectively for the county’s adult population.

In total, the county has at least partially vaccinated 4,207 people, while 3,758 of those are fully vaccinated.

Over the past 14 days, the county has reported 502 new cases per 100,000 residents. DHHS does not report the percent positive of counties with an average of fewer than 50 daily tests over a two-week period.

99. Rutherford County

Rutherford County has the second lowest vaccination rate in the state, with 36% of people at least partially vaccinated and 32% fully vaccinated against the virus.

Those figures jump to 44% and 39% respectively for the county’s adult population.

In total, the county has at least partially vaccinated 24,352 people, while 21,713 of those are fully vaccinated.

Over the past 14 days, the county has reported 874 new cases per 100,000 residents, with an average of 21.3% of tests returning positive.

100. Robeson County

Robeson County has the lowest vaccination rate in the state, with 36% of people at least partially vaccinated and 29% fully vaccinated against the virus.

Those figures jump to 45% and 37% respectively for the county’s adult population.

In total, the county has at least partially vaccinated 46,659 people, while 37,985 of those are fully vaccinated.

Over the past 14 days, the county has reported 1,368 new cases per 100,000 residents, with an average of 16.3% of tests returning positive.

This story was originally published August 24, 2021 at 2:14 PM with the headline "These 10 counties have the highest and lowest COVID vaccination rates in North Carolina."