Missouri is among 18 states with less than half of its population vaccinated.

Missouri is among 18 states that still have less than half their populations vaccinated. 

A surge in new COVID-19 cases has health officials and state leaders increasing their calls for the public to be vaccinated before winter arrives.  

At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved booster shots for more Americans.  

Despite the appeals from medical professionals, the rate of new vaccinations is down in September.  

About 55 percent of all Americans are fully vaccinated.  

An analysis last week showed the average rate of deaths in the 10 least vaccinated states was more than four times the death rate in the 10 states with the greatest percentage fully vaccinated.