North Carolina Ranks 36th In The U.S. For COVID-19 Vaccinations

North Carolina is lagging behind other states when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations. 

Just 45% of the state's population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to data updated Sunday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The highest-ranking states have rates in the upper 60s or 70s. 

North Carolina now ranks 36th in the nation when it comes to vaccinations.

State health officials launched the “Your Shot at $1M” lottery program to change that. The prize drawing, announced June 10, was created to motivate residents to get vaccinated.

The needle hasn't moved much since then. First dose vaccinations did increase by 600 the week the initiative was announced, compared to the previous week. But the number was still half of what it was a month before. 

Last week's data is still preliminary but appears to show a decline. State officials say they expect to get a fuller picture of the impacts early next week. The first drawing of the program is scheduled for this Wednesday.

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