States race to vaccinate young adults against Covid-19

States race to vaccinate young adults against Covid-19

 

President Joe Biden's administration acknowledged last week that it would fall just short of its goal of getting 70% of adults in the US at least partially vaccinated by July 4. Wide swaths of the South have been slow to vaccinate its residents against Covid-19. Three Southern and one Western state still have fewer than half of their adult population protected with one dose. But across the country, the one demographic that has dogged health officials is people in that 18-to-29 age range.    "The trouble is they feel like they are invincible and that makes them a tough group to reach," said Lori Tremmel Freeman, the CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO).    States are trying a wide variety of tactics to reach this population. In many states like Hawaii there are cash incentives. California is vaccinating people at McDonald's and offering food coupons. In New Jersey, there's Rock the Shot a vaccination event at a balloon and rib festivals. West Virginia offered $100 savings bonds for residents 16 to 35 who get vaccinated.    But what ultimately may speed efforts with this age group is college. More than 500 universities and colleges are requiring students to get the Covid-19 vaccine before they come back to class, according to a tally kept by The Chronicle of Higher Education.