Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 4, 2024 The Pumpkin Patch is in full swing, with another shipment due next weekend Sa nir Sa a nior y Senior Seni by Jim Miller If You’re 65 or Older, It’s Time to Get Your Pneumonia Shot Dear Savvy Senior, I recently turned 65 and would like to know if am supposed to get the pneumonia vaccine? And if so, which type of vaccine do I need and is it covered by Medicare? Relatively Healthy Dear Relatively, Yes, the Centers for Disease THE ORANGE GLOW: Pumpkins of all sizes are available for purchase at the First Congregational Church Pumpkin Patch in Saugus Center through Halloween. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) T he First Congregational Church’s 22nd Annual Pumpkin Patch is up and running and will be open through Halloween, Oct. 31. Pumpkins of all sizes are displayed on the church lawn and will be available for purchase every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Come and visit our Pumpkin Patch,” Pumpkin Patch coordinator Carl Spencer said. “It will put you in the fall spirit. The pumpkins are going fast, so come and choose yours. On Saturday, October 12 at 9am, another Pumpkin Truck arrives with more pumpkins,” he said. “Help is needed to unload the truck. The FESTIVAL | FROM PAGE 7 enchanting storyteller acted out scenes to a mesmerized crowd tucked away by a cozy campfi re. Dwayne Haggins Band played to a crowd, and Park Rangers were on hand to guide and answer any questions. This year’s Fall Family Festival was family, friends, wildlife and education all at its best. The Dwayne Haggins Band played to a crowd at Breakheart Reservation last Saturday at the Annual Fall Family Festival. (Courtesy photo of Joanie Allbee) church truly enjoys hosting this great fall event.” Saugus is one of many communities receiving pumpkins from the Navajo Reservation near Farmington, N.M., working with a program called Pumpkin Patch USA, which coordinates the destination of the pumpkins. The church and the Navajo Reservation both benefi t from the pumpkins. The Pumpkin Patch tradition has become a very popular Autumn attraction to people passing through Saugus Center. The local “Pumpkin Patch” began in Saugus Center about two decades ago as a fund-raiser for the church’s Youth Group and has continued to fl ourish as somewhat of a community-wide autumn attraction. Pumpkin sales have also helped fund the annual Danny Panico Memorial Scholarship Award. Panico, a longtime church member and Pumpkin Patch worker, died in 2017, and the scholarship is meant to honor his contributions. The scholarships are a way of the church “giving back to the community” for supporting its annual Pumpkin Patch. If interested in helping to unload the “Pumpkin Truck” next weekend or in helping as a volunteer during the pumpkin sales, please contact Carl Spencer at 781-233-9196. Control and Prevention (CDC) does indeed recommend the “pneumococcal vaccines” for pneumonia for adults age 65 and older. They’re also recommended for younger people with long-term health issues or weak immune systems, as well as children under 5 and people who smoke. Pneumonia, which can happen anytime – not just during the cold months – can be a serious and even life-threatening condition. Each year, pneumonia causes a whopping 1.5 million people to visit medical emergency departments in the U.S. and causes roughly 50,000 deaths. A recent study found that the use of pneumonia vaccines is associated with a 24 percent decreased risk of death, but vaccination rates aren’t that high. Around 67 percent of adults over the age of 65 are vaccinated against pneumonia, and just 24 percent of younger people (19-64 years old) at risk for pneumonia are vaccinated. The main reasons for this are because many people are unsure whether they need the vaccine, while others aren’t even aware a vaccine exists. Types of Vaccines There are three diff erent vaccines available, some more appropriate for certain people than others. They are the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine PPSV23 (Pneumovax23), the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV15 (Vaxneuvance) and PCV20 (Prevnar 20). The numbers indicate how many strains, or serotypes, of streptococcus pneumoniae are included in the vaccine. So, which vaccine should you get? If you’ve never been vaccinated for pneumonia, the newer PCV20 is the top choice – it covers the 20 most common serotypes now. If that vaccine is not available in your area, you can get the PCV15 vaccine, followed one year later by PPSV23. If you had the earlier PCV13 (but not PCV15), or the PPSV23 at or after age 65, you’re likely eligible to get the PCV20 for increased protection. But because of the diff erent possibilities, you need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the most eff ective option for you. Side eff ects of these vaccines tend to be mild, but may include feeling achy and tired as well as redness, swelling and soreness where the injection was given. You’ll also be happy to know that Medicare Part B covers both single dose and two-dose pneumococcal shots, and you only need to get it once. Unlike the fl u shot, which is given annually. Most local pharmacies and community health clinics offer pneumococcal vaccines, but you may want to call ahead just to be sure. For more information, visit the CDC’s Pneumococcal Vaccination webpage at CDC.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/index.html. Other Vaccines To avoid getting pneumonia as a consequence of a viral infection, you should also consider getting a fl u shot, RSV shot and a Covid-19 booster in the fall. While vaccines cannot prevent every case of pneumonia (or other conditions they’re given for), those who get them usually have milder infections, a shorter course of illness and fewer serious complications than people who don’t get vaccinated. The fl u shot and Covid booster are both covered by Medicare Part B, while the RSV vaccine (which is recommended every other year) is covered under Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plans. All three shots can also be given simultaneously. 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 “The Savvy Senior” book. ior
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