West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice reported this morning on how his state is first in the nation in the rate of vaccinations. The nursing homes are done, and vaccination is proceeding through the general population. He spoke on CBS News “Face the Nation,” calling his state’s accomplishment a “diamond in the rough.” The state has the highest rate of shots given per capita than any other in the nation, with at least 7.5% receiving the first of the two shots. West Virginia was the first state to complete the first shot to all long-term care centers, done before the end of December. By the end of January, they will be done the second shot at all these facilities.
He reported that the state decided on using a combination of local health departments, local pharmacies and the National Guard. The state decided to not use the CVS and Walgreens stores and related federal plans. He did not take the bait from the interviewer to slam the federal government. Justice is a Republican and backer of President Donald Trump. Justice was roundly re-elected last fall. But Justice reiterated his own points about the importance of the vaccine. It’s “all about age, age, age” he said. “We need to get at it.”
