COVID Time for a booster! The new vaccine is bivalent and protects against more and different COVID types than the original. There was hope that the first version would be a one-and-done vaccine; however, as the virus mutates, the vaccine is being adjusted to expand protection. The good news is that mutations seem to have led to a less virulent virus than the original; however, COVID still increases the risk of hospitalization and death for at-risk people who catch it, so getting a booster is a good precaution.
COVID still increases the risk of hospitalization and death for at-risk people who catch it, so getting a booster is a good precaution. Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) Tdap vaccine, which protects people from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough), is recommended every 10 years. The “a” in Tdap is for acellular pertussis, which means it is not a tiny amount of real pertussis being injected.
Tetanus causes lockjaw. With proper treatment, most people recover, but it’s a risk that can be avoided with a vaccination. While diphtheria and pertussis can make adults sick, pertussis can result in what has been called a post-viral “100-day cough.” A big value in Tdap is that it protects newborns from these viruses which can kill them with their less mature respiratory and immune systems. Shingles Shingrix, for herpes zoster virus, is recommended for people over 50 years of age and covered under Medicare Part D drug benefits. It involves two injections separated by two to six months. There are about 1 million cases of shingles in the USA annually, with each person having a 30% lifetime risk of contracting the painful disease. It can occur at any time, but is more likely during times of stress or with advancing age. Shingles is the reactivation of the herpes virus that causes chickenpox. This vaccination’s value is that it decreases the chance of developing postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a remarkably painful syndrome that occurs in 20% of people after the rash resolves. This pain can be debilitating, affect function, and sometime defies treatment.
Watch for Tax Helps from NBUSA—Coming Soon!
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ith the beginning of the new year, thoughts turn to April and filing taxes for the year just past (the 2024 deadline for filing is Monday, April 15). Be sure to visit nbusa.org starting in January for information and resources to assist you.
At nbusa.org, you’ll also find our tax and compensation memos. These are reviewed annually by an independent CPA firm for accuracy and can help ministers minimize taxes and better understand IRS regulations that apply to them.
These will include The Minister’s Tax & Financial Guide from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), which offers step-by-step instructions to guide ministers through returns and forms needed for tax filing. It also covers topics like determining housing allowance and includes completed sample forms.
We also encourage you to visit pastorswallet.com, the website of Amy Artiga, author of our Sensible Stewardship column (read “Year-End Tax Planning for Pastors” on page 5).
For church treasurers, there’s the ECFA’s Church & Nonprofit Tax & Financial Guide. This manual explains IRS regulations that might be tricky and highlights forms churches are required to file. 16
Visit nbusa.org or our Facebook page often for updates on practical information that helps you as a pastor or treasurer. If you have specific questions about taxes, compensation, retirement, insurance, or similar topics, contact us at benefits@nazarene.org or 888.888.4656. NBUSA Quarterly
