According to data released last May 23, 2021 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 25 states, plus Washington, DC, have fully vaccinated nearly half of their adult citizens. The following states are Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. The CDC has fully vaccinated more than half of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont’s overall resident population, not just adults.

The immunization campaign has a clear impact. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that in September, the city’s public schools will return to in-person learning, with no remote options. Face masks will still be needed in schools, according to Meisha Porter, the Chancellor of the New York City Schools. “We have proven that we can beat back Covid all over this country, and school opens four months from now,” de Blasio declared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “So, I absolutely believe Covid will continue to go down, vaccinations will go up, recovery will be strong.” Gov. Phil Murphy announced on May 24, 2021 that mask-wearing and social distance regulations will be eliminated in New Jersey, regardless of vaccination status, except for certain designated situations. If a company wants to, it can require staff and customers to wear masks, he said. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan announced enhanced return-to-work regulations and recommendations, including the ability for fully vaccinated employees to avoid wearing face masks and social isolation. According to Whitmer, the state has passed the 55 percent immunization mark.