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CDC: Kentucky Vaccination Totals Over-Reported Due to Database Error

J. Tyler Franklin

Kentucky’s vaccination totals are lower than originally thought due to a reporting error in a federal database.  During a news conference on Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear said a pharmacy chain is behind the misinformation.

The CDC has confirmed some of the vaccination data for Kentucky was counted twice. Beshear said data from Kroger was reported to the federal database both through the Kentucky Immunization Registry and directly to the CDC.

“They were submitting it in two ways and expecting there would be a de-duplication algorithm in the federal database to catch it," explained Beshear. "This was not intentional by anyone.”

Beshear said the duplicate reporting occurred only with that company, but what it’s done to Kentucky’s vaccination rate “hurts a bit.” 

The number of Kentuckians vaccinated with at least their first dose will decrease from 2.7 million to 2.5 million and reduce the vaccination rate to about 56%. Each age group will be adjusted downwardly, as well.  Totals are expected to drop five to seven-and-a-half percent for each age group. Vaccination totals for some counties that held larger clinics with Kroger could be adjusted by as much as 20 percent. 

Beshear said it's believed the duplicate reporting occurred in three states.

Meanwhile, Beshear announced 1,711 newly reported cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and a decreased positivity rate of 5.17%. The governor also reported 33 deaths, including a 25-year-old Kentuckian.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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