Wyoming announced on Wednesday that residents who are at least 16 years old were now eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine in the state. New Mexico, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Washington and Kentucky have also joined the race.
Over 40 states have now sped up their vaccination efforts at a time when health officials are warning of a possible fourth surge of coronavirus cases.
“I want to take this opportunity and invite you to choose to get your free Covid-19 shot as soon as possible,” Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota said in announcing her state’s expansion of eligibility.
Kentucky will make the vaccine available to residents 16 and older on April 5, and Washington will do the same April 15.
“We have concerns about the trends we are seeing across the state and we must be cautious,” Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington said at a news conference on Wednesday. “Opening up full eligibility will be one tool to help in the fight against the virus.”
President Biden called earlier this month for states to open eligibility to all adults by May 1. On Monday, he directed his coronavirus response team to ensure that by April 19, there would be a vaccination site within five miles of 90 percent of Americans’ homes.
The number of Americans, and especially Black Americans, who have been vaccinated or want to be vaccinated has risen significantly since January, according to a recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The survey also found that Republicans and white evangelical Christians continue to be skeptical of getting a virus vaccine.
Ms. Noem, a Republican who leads a Republican-majority state, acknowledged those concerns on Wednesday.
“There will never be the heavy hand of government mandating that you get the vaccine,” she said. “We will trust our people to do the right thing.”
