Approximately 44.5 percent of the population of Pettis County have started the COVID-19 vaccination series.

According to the state’s website, 18,826 Pettis County residents have started the vaccination series, and 16,753 are considered fully vaccinated- which is approximately 39.6 percent of the population.

However, Pettis County Health Center officials say Pettis County is falling behind the state rate of 58.7 percent who have started the vaccination process and 51.7 percent being fully vaccinated. The state is reporting 69.9 percent of the population over 18 has started and 62.5 percent are fully vaccinated. For Pettis County, 55.9 percent of the population (17,831) 18+ have started vaccination and 50.2 percent (16,002) are fully vaccinated.

According to the DHSS website, 13.1 percent (992) of 5- to 17-year-olds have started the vaccination series and 9.9 percent (750) are fully vaccinated. For the 65+ age group, 77.3 percent (5,603) have started the vaccination series and 70.9 percent (5,134) are considered fully vaccinated.