Bristol County lags behind state in vaccinations with Fall River and New Bedford bringing up the rear

Bristol County lags behind the state in vaccination rates with the county having the second worst rate in the state.

According to data released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 54% of Bristol County residents eligible to get vaccinated have been administered at least one dose. Only Hampden County was worse at 52%. The state as a whole is at 66%.

As far as cities and towns in Bristol County are concerned, New Bedford ranks last at 45%. Fall River is at 49%. Westport (61%), Somerset (58%), Swansea (57%), and Dartmouth (52%) fared better. Mansfield had the highest rate in the county at 68%.

Out of vaccinated individuals in the state, as of June 12th, there have been 3,791 cases of the virus out of 3,720,037 fully vaccinated residents.

When it comes to fully vaccinated residents who are eligible, Fall River comes in at 43% with New Bedford having the worst rate at 37%.

Several promotions have been held to try and boost vaccination rates such as $25 Market Basket gift cards as both New Bedford and Fall River were some of the more hardest hit areas of the state by COVID-19.

There has been talk of a vaccination bus being brought in so people can quickly get on, get the shot, and get off.

This week, the Baker-Polito Administration, Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg and the Massachusetts State Lottery announced the Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway for residents who are fully vaccinated