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Page 20 avy n v y y Dear Just Turned, There are actually three diff erent types of vaccines seniors should consider getting this fall to protect against a repeat of last winter’s “tripledemic” of respiratory illnesses, which included fl u, RSV and coronavirus. Here’s a rundown of the diff erent vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending and how they are covered by Medicare. Senior-Specifi c Flu Shots For people age 65 and older, there are three fl u vaccines (you only need one) that the CDC recommends over traditional fl u shots. These FDA-approved vaccines provide extra protection beyond what a standard fl u shot does, which is important for older adults who have weaker immune defenses and have a greater risk of developing dangerous fl u complications compared with younger, healthy adults. The three senior-specifi c options include the: • Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains four times the amount of antigen as a regular fl u shot does, creating a stronger immune response for better protection. • Fluad Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains an added ingredient called adjuvant MF59 that also helps create a stronger immune response. • FluBlok Quadrivalent vaccine, is a recombinant protein (egg-free) fl u vaccine that contains three times the amount of antigen as compared with a regular fl u shot. There isn’t enough evidence yet to indicate whether one of these three vaccines provides superior protection over the other two for seniors. As for side eff ects, you should know that the Fluzone High-Dose and Fluad vaccines can cause more of the mild side eff ects that can occur with a standard-dose fl u shot, like pain or tenderness where you got the shot, muscle aches, headache or fatigue. While the side eff ects of Flublok tend to be a little less frequent. All fl u vaccines are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B as long as your doctor, health clinic or pharmacy agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays. New RSV Vaccines Anyone age 60 and older, especially if you have any heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney or liver disorders that make you vulnerable to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) should consider getting one of the new FDA approved RSV vaccines (either Arexvy or Abrysvo). These vaccines, recommended by the CDC, will help protect older and immunocompromised adults from respiratory illness, which is responsible for 6,000 to 10,000 deaths and at least 60,000 hospitalizations each year in seniors 65 and older. The new RSV vaccines are covered by Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plans. Updated Covid Booster If you haven’t had a Covid-19 booster shot lately, you should consider getting one this fall. Even though the Covid public health emergency has ended and the number of cases has gone way down, it has been surging in recent months causing an increase in hospitalizations, especially among the elderly. The updated Covid vaccine targets the XBB omicron subvariants that are some of the most dominate coronavirus variants circulating in the U.S. It will also provide protection against the EG.5 variant (Eris), which is closely related to the XBB. Covid booster shots are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B. When and Where Most health offi cials agree that it’s safe to receive the fl u and Covid booster at the same time. But because the RSV vaccines are new this year, many doctors are recommending a two-week window between an RSV shot and the fl u and/or the COVID shots. You can fi nd all three vaccines at most pharmacies, medical clinics and health departments, or you can do a search at Vaccines.gov. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “Th e Savvy Senior” book. avvyavvy S oravvy S ioreniioor io iori by Jim Miller Three Vaccines Seniors Should Consider Getting This Fall Dear Savvy Senior, Which vaccines are recommended for Medicare seniors this fl u season? Just Turned 65 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 6, 2023 DELEGATION | FROM PAGE 5 come tax credits, along with estate tax reform and increased housing production will make the Commonwealth more affordable and equitable. I’m particularly pleased that an important provision that I advocated for – to close a loophole in the new millionaire’s tax that voters approved last November – was also included in the fi nal bill.” “I am pleased to see the tax relief package pass both the House and Senate. This legislation will not only provide much-needed financial relief to our residents and businesses, it will also ensure that our great Commonwealth remains competitive and aff ordable in the future,” said Representative Ultrino. “With this, I applaud the hard work and diligent eff orts of Speaker Mariano, the Malden Delegation, and my colleagues in the House and Senate.” “With a primary focus on affordability and equity, this bill is an important step in ensuring Massachusetts is an aff ordable place to live for all,” said Representative Donato. “Additionally, I am proud of my colleagues for overwhelmingly passing this essential piece of legislation.” “I was pleased to join the full Legislature in passing this comprehensive tax reform package to make the Commonwealth more aff ordable for its residents and more economically competitive nationally by providing critical relief to seniors, families, renters, and businesses,” said Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “Among the many important updates to our tax code, I am enthused to see the inclusion of a signifi cant number of housing-related reforms addressing supply and aff ordability, including the increased rental tax credit, a piece of legislation I have fi led and championed since joining the Legislature in 2020.” Among other provisions, this tax relief bill: • Increases the child and dependent tax credit from $180 to $310 in taxable year 2023, and then to $440 in taxable year 2024 and beyond, while eliminating the current cap on children/dependents, benefi tting more than 565,000 families and providing the most generous universal child and dependent tax credit in the country • Increases the earned income tax credit from 30% to 40% of the federal credit • Doubles the maximum annual senior circuit breaker credit from $1,200 to $2,400 • Increases the cap on the rental deduction from $3,000 to $4,000 • Raises the estate tax threshold from $1 million to $2 million and establishes a uniform credit of $99,600 in order to eliminate the current cliff eff ect • Increases the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) statewide cap from $10 million to $57 million once, and then to $30 million annually, which will create an estimated 12,500 new homes in Gateway Cities • Raises the annual low-income housing tax credit authorization cap from $40 million to $60 million, providing increased funding for new aff ordable housing units The bill also includes a requirement that married couples who fi le a joint tax return with the federal government also fi le a joint state tax return. This provision – which aligns Massachusetts with many other states – was championed by Senator Lewis and is intended to close a tax avoidance loophole in the new millionaire’s tax that was approved by voters last November. A few additional key tax changes: • Lead paint abatement: Doubles the credit to $3,000 for full abatement and $1,000 for partial abatement, to support families with older homes. • Student loan repayment exemption: Ensures that employer student loan payments are not treated as taxable compensation. • Commuter transit benefi ts: Makes public transit fares, as well as ferry and regional transit passes and bike commuter expenses, eligible for the commuter expense tax deduction. • Senior property tax volunteer program: Increases from $1,500 to $2,000 the maximum that municipalities may allow for certain seniors to reduce their property tax by participating in the senior work-off programs. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ NOTICE OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH MEETING Notice is hereby given that Dris Corporation D/B/A Dris will hold a Community Outreach Meeting on October 19, 2023 at 5:00 PM at Anthony’s of Malden located at 105 Canal St, Malden MA 02148 to discuss the proposed siting of an Adult Use Retail Cannabis Establishment at 28 Broadway in Malden. This meeting will also be livestreamed via Zoom. Interested members of the community will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from company representatives about the proposed facility and operations. Questions can be submitted in advance by emailing chris@yourgreenpackage.com or asked during the meeting. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81188383151 Zoom Meeting Telephone Dial In: +1-646-931-3860 Meeting ID: 811 8838 3151 October 6, 2023

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