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Alabama currently has the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rate among all U.S. states, with only about 33.9% of residents fully vaccinated. The state is experiencing a surge in the delta variant of the coronavirus, with new confirmed cases doubling in the past week and quadrupling in the last two weeks. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey addressed this issue, emphasizing the need for vaccination as a solution.
During a press conference in Birmingham, Governor Ivey expressed her frustration with the unvaccinated population, stating, “The new cases of COVID are because of unvaccinated folks. Almost 100% of the new hospitalizations are with unvaccinated folks. And the deaths are certainly occurring with unvaccinated folks.” She criticized those who choose not to get vaccinated, referring to it as a “horrible lifestyle of self-inflicted pain.”
Governor Ivey, who received her full vaccination in December, highlighted the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, urging people to get vaccinated. She called the vaccine “the greatest weapon we have to fight COVID” and emphasized its role in saving lives.
“Start blaming the unvaccinated”: Alabama GOP Gov. Kay Ivey calls out people refusing Covid vaccines in a remarkable plea to her state, which is the least vaccinated in the US https://t.co/MelSJ4EEtJ
— CNN (@CNN) July 23, 2021
Despite receiving federal relief funds from the Biden administration, Alabama has not implemented any vaccination incentive programs. The state has only offered residents the option to take two laps around Talladega Speedway as an incentive so far. When asked about increasing vaccination rates, Governor Ivey admitted uncertainty, saying, “I don’t know, you tell me.”
