Health and science teammates, New York data journalist Nicky Forster and Seattle reporter Carla K. Johnson, collaborated with Surgo Ventures, a health care information organization, to tell the story of how U.S, states that opened up vaccines to more people actually fared worse in the rollout than those that took a more methodical approach.
The first-of-its-kind data analysis by AP gauged the success of all states in the vaccine rollout — comparing states by their varying degrees of aggressiveness. Surprisingly, the team found states that were most aggressive actually vaccinated a smaller share of their population than those that took a go-it-slow approach.
The story also quoted real people about their struggles in getting shots. The result was a hit among customers, including front page play in the Chicago Tribune, the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Orlando Sentinel.
Motorists line up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Feb. 10, 2021.
AP Photo / Damian Dovarganes