Missouri has one of the lowest COVID vaccination rates in the US. Get your booster, KC

Fall festival season with its fun and crowds is here, and so is the latest subvariant of the ever-present coronavirus. The good news is, there’s a shot for the latter available free to anyone who wants it.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized two new COVID-19 boosters, available as early as this week. With children back in school, workers back on site and a broad loosening of pandemic protections everywhere, those who can get the vaccines should.

Shots of the updated boosters, specifically designed by Pfizer and Moderna, target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants in a single shot. The Pfizer booster is authorized for ages 12 and older. Moderna’s shot is for people 18 and up.

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices followed up with a recommendation of the boosters.

We know, from the experiences of the last two and half years, that a shot in the arm is the best protection we have against the spread of this virus, which continues to mutate. We also know it is not the only way to fight against spreading COVID-19 which, make no mistake, is very much still among us.

Last week, there was an average of 170 new cases each day in Kansas City, and nearly 1,400 in Missouri.

Frequent hand washing, sanitizing, maintaining safe distances when the situation allows and wearing a mask when in higher-risk environments are no longer required government protocols, but health experts agree they work as effective mitigation strategies. They are also pretty easy to do. The more they become a habit for all of us, the healthier we’ll all be.

It’s clear these lessons have sunk in over the past two years. Last month, thousands poured onto the grounds at Swope Park for Kansas City’s 43rd annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival. That hadn’t happened in two years because of COVID-19. Most people were not wearing masks, but many did. Sanitizer stations were easy to find, and even with long food lines, people seemed mindful not to stand too close to one another.

No one has an appetite any longer for mandated mask requirements, shutdowns and school closures. We remember the economic, social and political impact when, at the start of the pandemic, health and government agencies required them for the public good. We’re far from where we were.

“The current conditions of this pandemic are very different from those of the last two years,” the CDC’s Greta Massetti said on PBS News Hour. Massetti spoke after the CDC relaxed its COVID-19 guidelines, including dropping the need to quarantine after contact with an infected person and social distancing requirements.

An estimated 95% of Americans 16 and older have some immunity, either because they’ve been vaccinated or infected. Nationwide, 67.5% of eligible people are fully vaccinated. In Kansas, the number is lower, at 63%, and in Missouri, the share of residents fully vaccinated is among the lowest in the country at 57%.

That said, any notion that COVID-19 has been conquered would be wrong. People are still getting sick and some are still dying.

The U.S. government has purchased 170 million doses of the new boosters. And with flu season coming, officials say there’s no problem getting both the booster and the flu shot.

“The goal very much is to get to a point where people get their COVID shot on a regular basis, the way they do their flu shot.” White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said after the new boosters announcement.

Back to living normally, including returning to the classroom, the office and going out to movies, ballgames, restaurants and festivals is where we all want to stay.

We recognize that not everyone is open to vaccines, even though the shots are proven to be the best protections. Nonbelievers have their reasons. But those who can, should take the shot. At this time last year, we saw a spike in COVID-19 cases, and as the colder weather draws near, it’s good to show some personal responsibility to keep yourself, friends, family, neighbors and the broader community as safe as possible.

Let’s hope enough of us remember to do what’s best for all of us.