Holly Olson, BCPA
@hollyolsonbcpa.bsky.social
I help people get the healthcare they need and deserve. I became a Board Certified Patient Advocate after seeing people struggle trying to navigate the US healthcare system.
Family, dogs, writing, beekeeping, books, National Parks & Alzheimer's awarness
Family, dogs, writing, beekeeping, books, National Parks & Alzheimer's awarness
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
That’s how you do it 👏
"NYS Dept of Health & NYC Health Dept reject all recent and unilateral changes to the CDC immunization schedule."
This letter just went all to all medical providers in NYC. It sends an unambiguous message: Do not change your prior immunization practices.
This letter just went all to all medical providers in NYC. It sends an unambiguous message: Do not change your prior immunization practices.
January 9, 2026 at 5:54 PM
That’s how you do it 👏
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
📈 👀
17 Republicans voting with Democrats to cleanly extend the ACA enhanced subsidies is nearly double the number who signed the discharge petition along with Democrats to force the vote (9)
(Note that the bill the Senate is considering is not a clean extension.)
(Note that the bill the Senate is considering is not a clean extension.)
January 8, 2026 at 11:12 PM
📈 👀
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
If Congress doesn't extend the ACA tax credits, more labor & delivery units will close. More rural hospitals will close. Moms and babies will pay the price.
We must stop the #HealthcareHeist.
We must stop the #HealthcareHeist.
January 8, 2026 at 3:43 PM
If Congress doesn't extend the ACA tax credits, more labor & delivery units will close. More rural hospitals will close. Moms and babies will pay the price.
We must stop the #HealthcareHeist.
We must stop the #HealthcareHeist.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
Weakening childhood vaccine guidance means more preventable disease, parent confusion, lower uptake, political decisions replacing science, and avoidable harm to vulnerable kids. Children pay the price. Their right to health is not negotiable.
Kennedy Scales Back the Number of Vaccines Recommended for Children
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Weakening childhood vaccine guidance means more preventable disease, parent confusion, lower uptake, political decisions replacing science, and avoidable harm to vulnerable kids. Children pay the price. Their right to health is not negotiable.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO VACCINATE!
[I'm enraged that RFK Jr, Jay Bhattacharya, Marty Makary, and Jim O'Neill have now STOPPED recommending flu vaccines for kids]
[I'm enraged that RFK Jr, Jay Bhattacharya, Marty Makary, and Jim O'Neill have now STOPPED recommending flu vaccines for kids]
Influenza kills. It kills children and adults. We're likely going to see a higher number of pediatric deaths this year than last, and last year was a record year since pediatric flu deaths became reportable. It's never too late to vaccinate. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting the shot.
4 child flu deaths reported in Massachusetts, including 2 under 2 years old
Two of the four deaths were of children under the age of 2 in Boston, according to the Boston Public Health Commission.
www.wcvb.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:37 PM
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO VACCINATE!
[I'm enraged that RFK Jr, Jay Bhattacharya, Marty Makary, and Jim O'Neill have now STOPPED recommending flu vaccines for kids]
[I'm enraged that RFK Jr, Jay Bhattacharya, Marty Makary, and Jim O'Neill have now STOPPED recommending flu vaccines for kids]
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
If the US public health system were a functioning one, federal health agency leaders—RFK Jr & Drs Bhattacharya, Makary, Oz, Høeg, Kulldorff, & Prasad—would be out there doing everything possible to promote flu vaccination
Instead, they’ve taken steps to roll it back
abcnews.go.com/Health/flu-a...
Instead, they’ve taken steps to roll it back
abcnews.go.com/Health/flu-a...
Flu-like illness activity now at highest rate on record, new CDC data shows
Flu activity is continuing to climb across the U.S. as hospitalizations rise, updated data from the CDC shows.
abcnews.go.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:48 PM
If the US public health system were a functioning one, federal health agency leaders—RFK Jr & Drs Bhattacharya, Makary, Oz, Høeg, Kulldorff, & Prasad—would be out there doing everything possible to promote flu vaccination
Instead, they’ve taken steps to roll it back
abcnews.go.com/Health/flu-a...
Instead, they’ve taken steps to roll it back
abcnews.go.com/Health/flu-a...
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
The vaccine schedule change is "one of the most opaque & destabilizing public health decisions I’ve seen," says @kkjetelina.bsky.social
"The result is painfully predictable: fewer children will be vaccinated, and children will be harmed"
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/a-unilater...
"The result is painfully predictable: fewer children will be vaccinated, and children will be harmed"
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/a-unilater...
A unilateral change to childhood vaccines: What it means for you
And why it matters
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:20 PM
The vaccine schedule change is "one of the most opaque & destabilizing public health decisions I’ve seen," says @kkjetelina.bsky.social
"The result is painfully predictable: fewer children will be vaccinated, and children will be harmed"
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/a-unilater...
"The result is painfully predictable: fewer children will be vaccinated, and children will be harmed"
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/a-unilater...
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
Doctors’ visits for flu-like symptoms — fevers, sore throat, extreme fatigue and body aches — have hit the highest level in nearly 30 years, according to the CDC, and are likely to continue to rise in the coming weeks.
nbcnews.to/49HH8ji
nbcnews.to/49HH8ji
January 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Doctors’ visits for flu-like symptoms — fevers, sore throat, extreme fatigue and body aches — have hit the highest level in nearly 30 years, according to the CDC, and are likely to continue to rise in the coming weeks.
nbcnews.to/49HH8ji
nbcnews.to/49HH8ji
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
In his continuing revenge tour, Trump has frozen funding for “child care subsidies, social services and cash support for low-income families” to five very specific states: CA, NY, IL, MN, and CO. All of them are led by Democrats.
Health Dept. to Freeze $10 Billion in Funding to 5 Democratic States
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:53 PM
In his continuing revenge tour, Trump has frozen funding for “child care subsidies, social services and cash support for low-income families” to five very specific states: CA, NY, IL, MN, and CO. All of them are led by Democrats.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
My uncle has horrible, fading vision due to measles as a child.
My mother-in-law has post-polio syndrome that causes daily pain and mobility problems.
I have patients who had congenital rubella syndrome who are blind and neurologically devastated. Their mothers are their 24/7/365 caregivers.
My mother-in-law has post-polio syndrome that causes daily pain and mobility problems.
I have patients who had congenital rubella syndrome who are blind and neurologically devastated. Their mothers are their 24/7/365 caregivers.
This is so important.
I’ve taken care of children who didn’t die from their vaccine preventable illness but instead
-lost limbs
-developed kidney failure requiring dialysis
-had strokes and permanent deficits
Death isn’t the only bad outcome.
And sometimes it may not be the worst one.
I’ve taken care of children who didn’t die from their vaccine preventable illness but instead
-lost limbs
-developed kidney failure requiring dialysis
-had strokes and permanent deficits
Death isn’t the only bad outcome.
And sometimes it may not be the worst one.
The narrative over the last few years has increasingly been, “Either it kills you or you’re fine.”
That narrative is dumb. Infectious diseases can (and do!) do all sorts of horrible, non-fatal damage. Which is also very bad and worth preventing.
That narrative is dumb. Infectious diseases can (and do!) do all sorts of horrible, non-fatal damage. Which is also very bad and worth preventing.
January 6, 2026 at 11:41 AM
My uncle has horrible, fading vision due to measles as a child.
My mother-in-law has post-polio syndrome that causes daily pain and mobility problems.
I have patients who had congenital rubella syndrome who are blind and neurologically devastated. Their mothers are their 24/7/365 caregivers.
My mother-in-law has post-polio syndrome that causes daily pain and mobility problems.
I have patients who had congenital rubella syndrome who are blind and neurologically devastated. Their mothers are their 24/7/365 caregivers.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
We don't have the disability education infrastructure to support a growing number of kids who are going to be disabled because their parents didn't get them vaccines against illnesses that can lead to the development of disabilities.
January 6, 2026 at 1:20 AM
We don't have the disability education infrastructure to support a growing number of kids who are going to be disabled because their parents didn't get them vaccines against illnesses that can lead to the development of disabilities.
It's not too late to get the flu vaccine.
Report from Georgia that gives a picture of what’s happening with influenza.
Flu hospitalizations 2024: 427
Flu hospitalizations 2025: 1176
Flu deaths 2024: 0
Flu deaths 2025: 27
Flu hospitalizations 2024: 427
Flu hospitalizations 2025: 1176
Flu deaths 2024: 0
Flu deaths 2025: 27
Georgia sees rise in hospitalizations, deaths due to aggressive flu strain - The Current
Georgia has seen a significant increase in flu-associated hospitalizations and deaths since October, with the CDC recommending the flu vaccine for people over six months old, including pregnant women ...
thecurrentga.org
January 6, 2026 at 1:44 AM
It's not too late to get the flu vaccine.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
“Fewer children will be vaccinated, and children will be harmed because of this decision,” says @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social about today's vaccine schedule change.
U.S. Axes Number of Recommended Childhood Vaccines in Blow to Public Health
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reducing the recommended number of vaccines for children to those that protect against 11 diseases instead of the protections against 17 illnesse...
www.scientificamerican.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:48 PM
“Fewer children will be vaccinated, and children will be harmed because of this decision,” says @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social about today's vaccine schedule change.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
The CDC changed the universal vaccine schedule & no longer recommends
Rotavirus
Hepatitis A & B
Meningitis
Influenza
RSV
I’ve cared for previously healthy kids who died from RSV, influenza and meningitis.
We all are going to be caring for a lot more now.
In our already overflowing hospitals
Rotavirus
Hepatitis A & B
Meningitis
Influenza
RSV
I’ve cared for previously healthy kids who died from RSV, influenza and meningitis.
We all are going to be caring for a lot more now.
In our already overflowing hospitals
January 6, 2026 at 12:02 AM
The CDC changed the universal vaccine schedule & no longer recommends
Rotavirus
Hepatitis A & B
Meningitis
Influenza
RSV
I’ve cared for previously healthy kids who died from RSV, influenza and meningitis.
We all are going to be caring for a lot more now.
In our already overflowing hospitals
Rotavirus
Hepatitis A & B
Meningitis
Influenza
RSV
I’ve cared for previously healthy kids who died from RSV, influenza and meningitis.
We all are going to be caring for a lot more now.
In our already overflowing hospitals
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
Healthcare premiums and medical costs are indead Orwellian…
Great analogy of what’s happening under this administration and worth the watch.
Great analogy of what’s happening under this administration and worth the watch.
January 5, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Healthcare premiums and medical costs are indead Orwellian…
Great analogy of what’s happening under this administration and worth the watch.
Great analogy of what’s happening under this administration and worth the watch.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
Thread 👇👇👇
This is incredibly short sighted and will cause serious harm longterm. This unilateral decision to reduce recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11 in the USA is not backed by science or the healthcare access realities of the US population.
www.statnews.com/2026/01/05/c...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/05/c...
Federal health officials slash recommended childhood vaccinations under Trump’s directive
The number of recommended childhood shots drops from 17 to 11.
www.statnews.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Thread 👇👇👇
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
My 91-year-old Dad is just now getting over the flu after FIVE weeks of illness. Protect yourself and others!
Flu is BAD this year. Get vaxxed if you haven’t already, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick!!!
Listen up y'all!!
Influenza is trying it's hardest to hit some covid numbers.
Best way to combat it.
FLU Vaccines.
Taking the symptoms seriously.
Getting meds early as possible.
Staying away from others while you're actively contagious.
Watch out for elderly & kids 18 and under.
#SheShed
Influenza is trying it's hardest to hit some covid numbers.
Best way to combat it.
FLU Vaccines.
Taking the symptoms seriously.
Getting meds early as possible.
Staying away from others while you're actively contagious.
Watch out for elderly & kids 18 and under.
#SheShed
January 2, 2026 at 9:00 PM
My 91-year-old Dad is just now getting over the flu after FIVE weeks of illness. Protect yourself and others!
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
RFK Jr. ordered the CDC to terminate their flu vaccination ad campaign immediately after taking office.
Just in case anyone was curious about his silence in the face of what is emerging as an unusually severe flu season and why he’s not out encouraging vaccines.
Just in case anyone was curious about his silence in the face of what is emerging as an unusually severe flu season and why he’s not out encouraging vaccines.
Robert F Kennedy cancels flu vaccination ad campaign and key vaccine policy meeting
The new US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, has ordered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to halt its publicity campaign encouraging uptake of this year’s seasonal flu vaccine...
www.bmj.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:34 PM
RFK Jr. ordered the CDC to terminate their flu vaccination ad campaign immediately after taking office.
Just in case anyone was curious about his silence in the face of what is emerging as an unusually severe flu season and why he’s not out encouraging vaccines.
Just in case anyone was curious about his silence in the face of what is emerging as an unusually severe flu season and why he’s not out encouraging vaccines.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
The U.S. will almost certainly lose its measles elimination status within a few more weeks, making the disease officially labeled as endemic within the U.S. for the first time in a quarter century.
Congrats to RFK Jr., As the U.S. Is Poised to Lose Its Measles Elimination Status After 25 Years
After a quarter century where measles was considered eliminated in the U.S., 2025's continuous outbreaks have us back at ground zero.
www.jezebel.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:45 PM
The U.S. will almost certainly lose its measles elimination status within a few more weeks, making the disease officially labeled as endemic within the U.S. for the first time in a quarter century.
Vaccines work.
Trump, RFK Jr., and anti-vax fiends have accomplished an amazing feat. Measles was officially eliminated from the U.S. in 2000. In 2025, there were 2,065 new cases. ~93% were unvaccinated or unknown, while 7% had received at least one dose of the vaccine.
#GetVaccinated #measles
#GetVaccinated #measles
January 2, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Vaccines work.
Reposted by Holly Olson, BCPA
For those who have been led to believe that this year’s flu vaccine doesn’t work, this isn’t the case.
ER visits and hospital admissions are reduced by 72–75% in children and adolescents, and by 32–39% in adults.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
ER visits and hospital admissions are reduced by 72–75% in children and adolescents, and by 32–39% in adults.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Early influenza virus characterisation and vaccine effectiveness in England in autumn 2025, a period dominated by influenza A(H3N2) subclade K
Influenza A(H3N2) subclade K (J.2.4.1) has dominated the 2025/26 season start in England. Post-infection ferret antisera raised against northern hemisphere 2025/26 vaccine strains showed reduced reactivity to subclade K viruses in England, aligning ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
January 1, 2026 at 11:38 PM
For those who have been led to believe that this year’s flu vaccine doesn’t work, this isn’t the case.
ER visits and hospital admissions are reduced by 72–75% in children and adolescents, and by 32–39% in adults.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
ER visits and hospital admissions are reduced by 72–75% in children and adolescents, and by 32–39% in adults.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...