LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new analysis shows Kentucky ranks as one of the lowest states in the country for child vaccination rates. According to Lending Tree’s QuoteWizard research analysts, Kentucky is the sixth worst state in the country for vaccinating children against COVID-19 and the flu.

What You Need To Know

  • Lending Tree QuoteWizard analysis found Kentucky ranks sixth lowest in the country for vaccinating children against the flu and COVID-19

  • Younger children were less vaccinated than older children

  • Researchers and doctors say vaccine hesitancy contributes to the state's lower vaccination rates

  • Analysts found that the country's lowest child vaccination rates are in the South and Midwest

Compiling data from the Census Bureau, the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, analysts found only 38% of kids in Kentucky have gotten at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and just 35% are vaccinated against the flu.

In that analysis, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut had the highest child vaccination rates for the flu and COVID-19, and Tennessee, Mississippi and Wyoming had the lowest.

Younger children are less likely to be vaccinated against the two viruses, with analysts saying in Kentucky the breakdown is 6% of one to four-year-olds, 25% of five to 11-year-olds and 50% of 12 to 17-year-olds.

Analysts with the research project say even Kentucky’s percentage in older kids is low compared to other parts of the country. They noticed a trend showing children are more vaccinated in the Northeast and western parts of the United States, with lower rates in the South and Midwest.

“There really has been mixed messaging of one side is saying this, one side is saying that, but when we look at the health effects, we can see that some states have rates as high as 80%, and you’re not seeing those negative side effects in the states that have these very high vaccination rates,” said Lending Tree QuoteWizard Senior Research Analyst Nick VinZant.

Vincent says in Kentucky, 65% of parents are hesitant because they’re worried about vaccine side effects. He says the analysis also found that 30% of Kentucky parents don’t trust the vaccine.

Norton Children’s Hospital Pediatric Infectious Disease Doctor Daniel Blatt says it’s a sentiment he sees among patients’ families.

“In Kentucky in particular, there are some additional hesitations that parents have leading toward lower vaccine rates for both COVID and flu, and it’s our job as health care providers to educate parents that these are very safe and effective vaccines at keeping kids out of the hospital,” Dr. Blatt said, adding, “Even though most kids do okay with covid and flu, there are some kids that don’t, and no one wants to be the parent of a child that dies of COVID or flu.”

Dr. Blatt says COVID-19 and flu vaccines give children’s immune systems the tools they need to fight off the viruses and significantly lower the risk of severe sickness that could lead to hospitalization or even death.

Dr. Blatt recommends that parents talk to their child’s doctor about any concerns they may have, in order to make an educated decision on vaccinating their child.

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