It’s time to get your flu shot. You were already planning that, right? It’s neither controversial nor political, and it’s safe. The shot can prevent flu or at least lessen its severity. In fact, the shot can reduce the risk of having to go to the doctor because of flu by 40% to 60%. Keep that frame of mind. Now, before you go, think hard about scheduling another shot at the same time: Roll up your other sleeve for a bivalent COVID shot because it’s okay to get both shots at once.

Guess what? It too is safe, and it will be very effective — just like the flu shot — at preventing severe illness or death. The new bivalent COVID shot is the first to be designed to take on omicron. Half of the shot works against the original coronavirus and the other half works against the two latest omicron variants. That’s the “bi” in bivalent. Getting the new jab is a personal choice; no one will hold you down to force a needle into your arm. Just like the flu shot, your decision shouldn’t involve politics. It should be just about your health and weighing the facts. Here’s one: Floridians are dramatically less likely to get dangerously ill or die if they keep their vaccinations current.

Yes, you may still catch COVID, but you will be much more protected from the worst it can offer. That fact has gotten lost in the many months since delta, and then the various strains of omicron made breakthrough infections common even among those who have been vaccinated. Some even claim that the vaccines don’t work. So let’s repeat it: If you are fully vaccinated, you have greatly reduced your chance that COVID will seriously sicken or kill you.

As this Editorial Board wrote a few days ago, too few Floridians are hearing that message. Just look at our low rate of the fully vaccinated and our high rate — and number — of dead. Our board crunched the numbers, and it can’t be blamed on just the summertime heat or our older population, and it’s not something we can wish away. Our death rate is too high and our full vaccination rate is low. Two big data points. Connect the dots.

The state is ranked 46th in the percentage of 12- to 17-year-olds with a first booster, 44th in 18- to 64-year-olds and 46th for the 65 and older group, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID has killed more than 80,000 Floridians and more than 70 a day even now. A few days ago, the Wall Street Journal reported that COVID has killed 200,000 Americans just this year. That’s more than three times the number of Americans who died in the entire Vietnam War. We can’t pretend omicron away.

It’s not helpful to make the vaccine political, or to question whether the vaccines “work.” The fact is, they do if your goal is to greatly amplify your odds of staying off a ventilator or out of the morgue. It’s your choice. But remember: You’re not sacrificing any freedoms by getting the free booster. And if you had doubts early on, don’t forget that the mRNA vaccines have been in general use for a year and a half now. They have saved untold lives and continue to do so. Please don’t die waiting for more evidence.

Editorials are the institutional voice of the Tampa Bay Times. The members of the Editorial Board are Editor of Editorials Graham Brink, Sherri Day, Sebastian Dortch, John Hill, Jim Verhulst and Chairman and CEO Conan Gallaty. Follow @TBTimes_Opinion on Twitter for more opinion news.