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Page 20 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 13, 2023 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 A Weatherize ahead of winter with help from the sponsors of Mass Save s the seasons change and cooler temperatures approach, it’s essential to prepare your home for the challenges of winter. Weatherization is a proactive approach to improving your home’s energy efficiency and comfort while also reducing heating and cooling costs, and it’s easy to schedule your appointments. Readers should know that fall is the time to make the necessary weatherization upgrades to their homes or businesses, because once the temperatures drop contractors can book out for weeks or even months. The Sponsors of Mass Save® encourage homeowners, renters and small businesses to utilize Mass Save rebates and incentives to weatherize and offer the following tips to help you get started! • Sealing Air Leaks: Air leaks are responsible for significant energy loss in homes, leading to drafty rooms and higher heating bills. Fall is an ideal time to identify and seal air leaks to help mitigate drafts prior to winter. Check for gaps around windows, doors, electrical outlets and plumbing fixtures. Use weatherstripping, caulk or expanding foam to seal these gaps and prevent cold air from entering your home and warm air from escaping. • Insulating Floors, Attics and Walls: Suffi cient insulation is crucial to maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and reducing energy consumption. Insulating your floors, attic and walls helps to prevent heat loss during the winter and can keep your home cooler in the warmer months. In fall, before the temperature drops, evaluate your insulation levels and consider adding more if necessary. Insulate exposed pipes and ducts to prevent freezing and heat loss. This simple step can signifi cantly reduce your heating costs and increase overall energy effi ciency. • Maintaining Your Heating System: Before the cold weather arrives, ensure that your heating system is in good working condition. Regular maintenance – such as cleaning or replacing air fi lters, checking thermostats and scheduling professional inspections – can improve the effi ciency and lifespan of your heating system. Fall is an opportune time to address any issues or make necessary repairs before the demand for heating increases. • Conserve Your Heat: Doing small tasks – such as setting your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature or making sure the damper is closed on your fi replace when it is not being used – can make a huge diff erence in conserving your home’s heat. A chimney can draw out as much as 25 percent of the heated or cooled air in your house if the damper is left open. For every 1 degree Fahrenheit you set your thermostat back, you might save between 1 to 3 percent on your annual heating bill. • Installing Window Covers: Windows are a common source of heat loss. Installing drapes or shades to cover your windows can prevent heat from escaping and cold air from entering, aiding you in maintaining a consistent indoor temperature and saving you money on heating bills all winter long. • Inspecting and Cleaning Gutters: During fall, leaves and debris tend to accumulate in gutters, blocking the fl ow of water. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage, ice dams and roof leaks. Regularly inspect and clean your gutters to ensure proper drainage. Remove any debris and consider installing gutter guards to prevent future clogging. Properly functioning gutters will help protect your home from water-related issues during the winter season. • Preventing Ice Dams: Ice dams are a serious problem many face during Massachusetts winters. If you see a row of icicles hanging from your roofl ine, that is the time to check to see if there’s any ice dams. Insulation and air sealing improvements can help reduce the chance of ice dams and protect your roof from potential damage. In addition to keeping gutters clean, you should increase attic fl oor insulation and improve ventilation in your roof, attic and eaves to avoid damage. USPS holiday shipping and mailing deadlines announced T o assist customers with their preparations for the upcoming busy holiday shopping and shipping season, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is providing 2023 holiday shipping and mailing deadlines. The information below covers domestic, international and military shipping destinations to allow for the timely delivery of cards, letters and packages by Dec. 25. No Holiday Surcharges: USPS has announced it will not have a peak, or demand, surcharge this holiday season, off ering increased predictability in pricing for customers. As always, the Postal Service off ers simple, upfront pricing year-round with no additional fees for residential area delivery, for Saturday delivery, no fuel surcharges and no volume minimums. USPS continues to be the most aff ordable way to mail and ship this holiday season. 2023 USPS holiday shipping and mailing deadlines • USPS Ground Advantage – Dec. 16 • First-Class Mail (including greeting cards) – Dec. 16 • Priority Mail – Dec. 18 (Hawaii – Dec. 16) • Priority Mail Express – Dec. 20 Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Offi ce (FPO), Diplomatic Post Offi ce (DPO): • USPS Ground Advantage – Nov. 6 • First-Class Mail – Dec. 9 • Priority Mail – Dec. 9 • Priority Mail Express Military Service – Dec. 15* * PMEMS not available for APO/ FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 International Mail: Shipping deadlines for international mail vary depending on the destination. Check out International Mail and Shipping Services for details at www.usps.com/international/mail-shipping-services. htm. USPS is a secure shipping option that meets international mail shipping needs to over 180 countries. USPS Is Ready for the Peak Shipping Season: A new shipping option this year is USPS Ground Advantage, a service that provides a simple, reliable and affordable way to ship packages with certain delivery of two to fi ve business days based on distance. In addition to USPS’s convenient retail locations, customers can purchase their shipping labels, order Priority Mail packaging and schedule free carrier pick up via the Postal Service’s shipping platform ClickN-Ship – www.usps.com/ship/ online-shipping.htm. Customers using the platform will have access to Commercial Shipping Rates that will apply to all domestic package labels – making it easier for customers to ship their packages. USPS is built for the holidays, serving 165 million addresses across the country and covering every state, city and town. Everyone living in the United States and its territories has access to postal products and services. Review the details on how to ship packages to military and diplomatic addresses at domesUSPS | SEE PAGE 23

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