South Carolina marked an important milestone in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic Sept. 16 when the state health agency announced more than 50 percent of eligible residents have received a coronavirus vaccine.

The state still lags behind the national average and, even at the 50 percent mark, South Carolina has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country.

The national average, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is about 54 percent. Several states, particularly in New England, boast vaccination rates close to 70 percent. It’s notable that the rate of new COVID-19 cases in that region is much lower than the rate in South Carolina.