On April 6, President Joe Biden directed every state to make every person age 16 and older eligible for a coronavirus vaccine by April 19, nearly two weeks earlier than his original directive, which was set for May 1.
The first state to announce and implement eligibility for all adults on March 9, was Alaska. Since then, states have gradually opened up eligibility across differing timelines, with the majority of states opening eligibility well before their due date. As of April 19, President Biden’s deadline, the remaining seven states opened up eligibility for the vaccine to all adults, and to every individual 16 and over. This means all 50 states have met the deadline of vaccine eligibility for those 16 and over.
However, states opening up eligibility to all adults does not mean those individuals will secure a vaccine anytime soon, and some populations will continue to be prioritized above others, depending on the state’s approach. While some states have taken on an age-based vaccine rollout, others have instituted an equity-based rollout, while others have gone for a hybrid approach. For example, Rhode Island has accelerated distribution of the vaccines to those living in ZIP codes disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus, and to those with certain health conditions which make them more vulnerable.
Regardless of each states’ approach, some individuals across the country are getting vaccinated without necessarily having priority at the state level. This is mainly because vaccine rollouts operate differently at the federal, state and county levels. And in various parts of the country, others are able to get a dose of a vaccine by being in the right place at the right time. This can occur at the end of the day at various locations when unused vaccines run the risk of going to waste.
To find out eligibility by state see the links below:
Alabama Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Kay Ivey announced that all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine starting April 5.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Alabama
Alaska Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Every adult living or working in the state is eligible to receive a vaccine. Alaska became the first state to eliminate vaccine eligibility requirements for adults on March 9.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Alaska
Arizona Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Doug Ducey announced that all Arizonans 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine at state vaccination sites starting March 24.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Arizona
Arkansas Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that starting March 30, all individuals 16 and over are eligible for a vaccine in Arkansas.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Arkansas
California Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that anyone 16 and older is eligible for a vaccine starting April 15.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in California
Colorado Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Jared Polis announced that starting April 2, all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Colorado
Connecticut Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Ned Lamont announced that all adults over the age of 16 are eligible for a vaccine starting April 1.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Connecticut
Delaware Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. John Carney announced that starting April 6, individuals 16 and over are eligible for a vaccine in Delaware.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Delaware
Florida Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Individuals 18 and older will be eligible for a vaccine starting April 5, while 16- and 17-year-olds are eligible at some locations.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Florida
Georgia Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Individuals age 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Georgia as of March 25.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Georgia
Hawaii Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: All individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine starting April 19.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Hawaii
Idaho Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Brad Little announced that all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Idaho starting April 5.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Idaho
Illinois Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that all individuals ages 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Illinois starting April 12.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Illinois
Indiana Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that all individuals ages 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Indiana starting March 31.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Indiana
Iowa Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Iowa starting April 5.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Iowa
Kansas Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Laura Kelly announced that all individuals 16 and over are eligible for a vaccine in Kansas as of March 29.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Kansas
Kentucky Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Andy Beshear announced that all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Kentucky starting April 5.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Kentucky
Louisiana Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Louisiana starting March 29.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Louisiana
Maine Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Janet Mills announced that all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in the state beginning April 7.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Maine
Maryland Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Larry Hogan announced that all Marylanders 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine starting April 6 at mass vaccination sites, and will be eligible for a vaccine through all providers starting April 12.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Maryland
Massachusetts Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: All those 16 and over are eligible for a vaccine in Massachusetts starting April 19.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Massachusetts
Michigan Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that all adults are eligible to receive a vaccine starting April 5.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Michigan
Minnesota Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Tim Walz announced that all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Minnesota starting March 30.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Minnesota
Mississippi Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: On March 16, Mississippi became the second state to make all individuals 16 and older eligible for a vaccine.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Mississippi
Missouri Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Mike Parson announced that all adults in the state are eligible for a vaccine starting April 9.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Missouri
Montana Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Greg Gianforte announced that all Montanans ages 16 and over are eligible for coronavirus vaccines starting April 1.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Montana
Nebraska Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Pete Ricketts announced that individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine starting April 5.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Nebraska
Nevada Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Steve Sisolak announced that all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine starting April 5.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Nevada
New Hampshire Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Chris Sununu announced that all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine starting April 2.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in New Hampshire
New Jersey Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Phil Murphy announced that all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine starting April 19.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in New Jersey
New Mexico Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Starting April 5, all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in New Mexico.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in New Mexico
New York Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine starting April 6.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in New York
North Carolina Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Roy Cooper announced that all adults are eligible for a vaccine beginning April 7.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in North Carolina
North Dakota Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: As of March 29, all adults over 16 are eligible for a vaccine in North Dakota, according to the North Dakota Department of Health.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in North Dakota
Ohio Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine as of March 29, but later said that those individuals could begin scheduling vaccinate appointments as they become available earlier.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Ohio
Oklahoma Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: As of March 29, all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Oklahoma.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Oklahoma
Oregon Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Kate Brown announced that starting April 19, all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Oregon.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Oregon
Pennsylvania Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Starting April 19, all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Pennsylvania.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Pennsylvania
Rhode Island Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Dan McKee announced that all adults are eligible for a vaccine in the state starting April 19.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Rhode Island
South Carolina Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Starting March 31, all individuals ages 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in South Carolina.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in South Carolina
South Dakota Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Starting April 5, all individuals 16 and older will be eligible for a vaccine in South Dakota.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in South Dakota
Tennessee Vaccine Eligibility
Current Phase: All Tennessee adults are eligible for a vaccine beginning April 5, according to Gov. Bill Lee.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Tennessee
Texas Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: As of March 29, individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Texas.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Texas
Utah Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced that all adults are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine as of March 24.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Utah
Vermont Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Starting April 19, all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Vermont.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Vermont
Virginia Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Ralph Northam announced that all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine starting April 18.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Virginia
Washington Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Jay Inslee announced that starting April 15, everyone 16 and older is eligible for a vaccine in Washington.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Washington
West Virginia Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Jim Justice announced that starting March 22, all West Virginians ages 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in West Virginia.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in West Virginia
Wisconsin Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Tony Evers announced that individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine starting April 5.
More information on COVID-19 vaccines in Wisconsin
Wyoming Vaccine Eligibility:
Current Phase: Gov. Mark Gordon announced that starting March 31, all individuals 16 and older are eligible for a vaccine in Wyoming.