As we entered the Memorial Day weekend, we were nearing the 50-percent mark for the number of people in the United States who had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

In Pennsylvania, we hit a major milestone this past week when at least a first dose had been administered to 70 percent of the population, paving the way toward the lifting of mask orders later this month when it is anticipated that we will be at 70 percent fully vaccinated.

We’re not there yet — and our region is lagging significantly behind the state and national numbers.

As of Sunday, the number of those fully vaccinated stood at 40.7 percent for the nation and 43 percent for Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, Lycoming County had achieved a full vaccination rate of only 34.6 percent, and Clinton County, 29 percent. To our south, Union County was at 38.6 percent.

The fact that our area isn’t keeping pace with the state and nation illustrates a reluctance to receive the vaccine, but why?

It just doesn’t make sense.

While there are many reasons for not getting the vaccine, there are many more reasons to get it.

While the state, as a whole, may not be looking at any major conflagrations from COVID-19 cases because of the new level of immunity, the same could not be said of our area. We are still at significant risk for deadly regional and local outbreaks, according to Barbara Hemmendinger of the Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition.

Since the pandemic hit the United States about 15 months ago, there have been more than 33 million cases of the coronavirus and more than 589,000 Americans have died from it.

“It’s now possible to avoid increasing this horrific toll when we get enough of us vaccinated,” Hemmendinger said.

We agree. And it’s so simple. So why would we risk prolonging the agony we’ve all known since March 2020, especially when hope is in sight?

This hope comes at the end of a needle.

It’s free and only takes courage.

Those who have stepped up to receive it are today’s heroes who are making a better tomorrow possible.

If you haven’t already done so, we urge you to make arrangements today to get your vaccine.

Do your part. Join the ranks of those willing to do what is needed now.