Friday Update: Fisherman’s Feast and Other News

Happy Friday! It’s that time of year again—Fisherman’s Feast weekend is happening in the North End. WBUR’s Hanna Ali has put together a guide on what to expect (here’s the short version: think meatballs and, well, some interesting aerial antics).

But before diving into the festivities, here’s what’s making headlines:

Potential Shift in Massachusetts Vaccine Guidelines

Massachusetts is considering separating itself from national vaccine guidelines, especially as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revamps federal policies. Governor Maura Healey has suggested in a new spending proposal giving the state’s Department of Public Health the power to establish its own vaccination standards if the federal government can’t keep up.

• Why this matters: Health insurers usually only cover vaccines recommended by the CDC’s advisory panel. Recently, Kennedy dismissed the established panel and has appointed new members who are more open to debunked concerns surrounding vaccines. They haven’t yet provided updated COVID vaccine guidelines for the upcoming fall season, particularly after the FDA dropped its recommendations for healthy adults under 65.
• Healey’s idea comes after reports indicated that state health officials are in discussions with colleagues from Connecticut, Maine, New York, and Rhode Island about aligning their vaccine guidelines based on recommendations from professional groups rather than strictly the CDC. This could improve the likelihood that insurers will cover vaccines without needing federal backing, which is especially pertinent given that some COVID shots can run as high as $200.
• Concerns: Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein voiced worries about individual states implementing differing proposals, potentially leading to confusion and politicization around vaccination. He’s advocating for collaboration among neighboring states to maintain a unified front.
• It’s worth noting that interest in vaccines appears to be waning across the U.S. Less than half of adults got the flu shot last season, and under a quarter received a COVID booster, according to CDC statistics. Moreover, rates among Massachusetts healthcare workers are dropping significantly.

New Membership Perk at Boys and Girls Club

The Boys and Girls Club of Boston is eliminating membership fees for families this school year. Typically, the costs are $25 for kids ages 6-12 and $5 for teens, which can add up, especially for families living below the poverty line. Robert Lewis Jr., the club’s president, mentioned that they want to ease financial stress as parents try to stretch their budgets.

• In sports news: The Braintree boys baseball team faced a tough loss in their Little League World Series debut yesterday, going down 13-0 against a strong South Carolina team. But there’s still a chance! They’re gearing up to play Lamar, Texas, tomorrow.

New Boston-themed Stamps

Yesterday, the U.S. Postal Service introduced two new stamps celebrating Boston. One features the Old North Church, while the other depicts a midnight rider reminiscent of Paul Revere. These stamps mark 250 years since the American Revolution and promote the Boston 2026 World Expo, an international stamp exhibition happening next May. Coincidentally, this reveal fell on the 260th anniversary of the Stamp Act protests.

MBTA Weekend Service Disruptions

The MBTA is closing the entire Lowell commuter rail line for the next two weekends, starting Friday at 10 p.m., due to bridge replacement work in Somerville. Fortunately, there are three free shuttle bus options available for commuters. You can check the shuttle routes and schedules online.

By the way—what sea creature was recently seen off Massachusetts’ coast after nearly ten years? Take a guess by joining in on our weekly Boston News Quiz.