Our capitulation to the virus is a combination of a population where most are now many months or years from their last vaccine dose, and that vaccine dose was in any case poorly cross-protective for the very distinct current variants.
I think most people don't realize just how important that first part is. Many seem to believe a dose will keep them safe (and no longer dangerous to others) for at least a year, but that's a mistake. Even our best Covid vaccines don't protect for years or decades like the vaccines we're accustomed to from childhood.
Immunity from these new shots wanes rapidly, reaching less than 20% effectiveness after just 6 months.