This Flu Season Is The Worst Possible Time For A Government Shutdown

Anna Almendrala
Updated

Flu cases are continuing to rise in the U.S., with some states, such as California, seeing record numbers of patients seeking medical attention. And public health experts say that the looming government shutdown could hobble states’ efforts to anticipate and prepare for patients seeking emergency care.

So far, 30 deaths of children have been linked to flu, and almost 9,000 people have been hospitalized with the flu. All states except for Hawaii are reporting widespread flu activity, with 32 states reporting high flu activity.

In the event that Congress doesn’t come to an agreement to fund the government, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services contingency plan involves pulling support from the CDC’s annual influenza program. This funds federal lab analysis that identifies flu strains to pinpoint the best course of treatment, as well as to identify flu subtypes to help guide the vaccines that will go into the next season’s shot.

The CDC also compiles weekly reports that summarize the state of the flu epidemic in the U.S., noting the number and locations of likely cases and pediatric flu deaths.

All of these numbers and more help people like Dr. Lisa Maragakis, the senior director of Infection Prevention at the Johns Hopkins Health System, prepare supplies and staffing for the incoming wave of patients, she explained.

“Having those numbers really informs us about our own preparedness and hospital operations,” said Maragakis. “It would definitely impact us if those activities were to stop.”

Making matters worse is that this year’s government shutdown would also take place at the peak of flu season in the U.S., when physicians all around the country are constantly checking the numbers to see when the cases are going to decrease. The flu season generally starts in October and peaks between December and February.

“This is the time of the year where we pay close attention to the weekly data,” Maragakis said. “We do rely on the national surveillance data being available so we can track this epidemic and understand if we’ve reached a turning point where disease starts to decline.”

“I hope that they keep [the government] open,” she added.

The government shutdown would also affect not just the current flu season, but our ability to prepare for next year’s epidemic, said Richard Webby, a member of the Infectious Diseases Department at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Twice a year, Webby and other experts gather at the World Health Organization Influenza Vaccine Composition Meeting to examine data from the previous flu season and determine which vaccine strains should be part of next season’s shot.

“The CDC, in their influenza division, will be frantically characterizing and collecting viruses and gathering information to inform that decision,” said Webby. “Any slowdown of that process is not a good thing.”

Of course, the CDC is in charge of many more public health initiatives beyond monitoring flu cases. It provides support and technical assistance to state and local health departments for monitoring infectious disease in general. It also runs prevention programs for non-infectious diseases and monitors research to make sure its recommendations for treatment and prevention of diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis and hepatitis are up to date. It also monitors food-borne illness outbreaks across state lines. All of these efforts would wind down during a shutdown, according to the HHS’s contingency plan in the event of a funding-related furlough.

The last time the federal government shut down was on Oct. 1, 2013. At the time, public health experts were worried about what the lack of data would do to state departments’ response to the flu, but it turned out that there had been little information to report anyway since the shutdown happened at the start of the flu season and lasted 16 days.

Also on HuffPost

Hepatitis B

Your newborn should get this shot even before leaving the hospital, and receive another dose at one to two months and a third at six to 18 months. The vaccine protects against an incurable, liver-infecting virus, hepatitis B, which can be passed to a baby during childbirth if the mother is infected. This virus spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids (sharing toothbrushes and utensils can put you at risk). Soreness at the site of the shot, or a slight fever, is the most common side effect, according to Gabrielle Gold-Von Simson, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York.

DTaP

The DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria (a germ that can form a gray or black film in the throat), tetanus (an infection that can cause muscle spasms so strong they can break bones), and pertussis (a highly contagious disease that causes a severe, uncontrollable cough, known as whooping cough). Five vaccine doses are given to children at two months, four months, six months, 15 to 18 months and four to six years. (And boosters at age 11 or 12 and then every 10 years.) DTaP may be combined with other vaccinations to reduce the number of shots needed. "Now, it's DTaP with hepatitis B and the polio vaccine. So, it's five in one," Dr. Gold-Von Simson says.

MMR

This combo shot protects against three viruses: measles (which causes high fever and a body-wide rash); mumps (which causes face pain, swelling of the salivary glands, and sometimes scrotal swelling in boys); and rubella or German measles (which can cause birth defects if the infection occurs during pregnancy). The first shot is given at 12 to 15 months of age and once again between the ages of four and six. MMR is sometimes combined with the chickenpox vaccine into one shot (brand name ProQuad). "All these different preparations are designed to reduce the amount of shots the pediatrician has to give," says Dr. Gold-Von Simson.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox, a highly contagious rash that many people remember from childhood, is caused by the varicella virus. A varicella vaccine was first licensed in 1995 and now spares future generations this itchy misery. Chickenpox infections can be especially dangerous in adults who don't have immunity from the vaccine or haven't had it in childhood, and can also lead to shingles, an extremely painful blistering rash. The shot is given to children at 12 to 15 months and again between four and six years. The vaccine can cause soreness at the site of the shot, fever, and, in some cases, a mild rash.

Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib)

"Haemophilus influenza type b is the bacterium that causes meningitis," says Dr. Gold-Von Simson. Meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, is particularly dangerous for kids under the age of five. Hib vaccines are generally given at two, four, six, and 12 to 15 months of age. Depending on the vaccine used, the six-month shot may not be needed. Fever, swelling, and redness at the site of the shot are potential side effects.

Polio (IPV)

Polio vaccine is "such a success," says Dr. Gold-Von Simson. "Because of the vaccine, there are no more cases [of polio]." There are no more in the United States that is. The virus hasn't been eradicated worldwide, so kids still get the IPV, or inactivated polio vaccine, which is a shot containing killed virus. Polio is bad news, and can cause paralysis and even death. Children are given the IPV at two months, four months, between six to 18 months, and then again between the ages of four and six years.

Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV)

This vaccine, known as PCV13 (brand name Prevnar), protects against 13 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which are bacteria that can cause all sorts of mayhem, including meningitis, pneumonia, ear infections, blood infections, and even death. A total of four shots are given to kids (at two, four, six, and 12 to 15 months of age) to protect them against the germs, known collectively as pneumococcal bacteria. The most common side effects of the vaccine include drowsiness, swelling at the site of the shot, mild fever, and irritability.

Influenza (flu)

Flu vaccinations are given each year starting in the fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends them for kids ages six months or older, although they aren't required for school attendance. (Connecticut and New Jersey require the vaccine for attending child-care centers and preschool.) Common side effects from the vaccine include soreness, redness, or swelling at the site of the shot. Fever and aches may occur too. "If you have an egg allergy, you shouldn't have the influenza vaccine," says Dr. Gold-Von Simson.

Rotavirus (RV)

The rotavirus vaccine (RV) (brand names RotaTeq, Rotarix) is given to children at two and four months of age. (RotaTeq is also given at six months.) The vaccine protects against a virus that is the most common cause of severe diarrhea and vomiting in young kids worldwide. About 55,000 children in the U.S. were hospitalized each year due to rotavirus before the vaccine was licensed in 2006. It is not required for school attendance. The vaccine is in liquid form and given by mouth to babies. It may make them a bit more irritable and can also cause mild diarrhea or vomiting.

Hepatitis A

Kids can catch hepatitis A from sharing food or drinks or by putting contaminated food or objects in their mouths. It's a viral infection that affects the liver, and can cause a number of symptoms, including fever, tiredness, jaundice, and loss of appetite. Children ages 12 through 23 months generally get two doses of the Hep A vaccine, with a minimum interval of six months between shots. Some states require the vaccine for school attendance. Soreness where the shot was given, headache, and loss of appetite are the most common side effects of the vaccine.

Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4)

This vaccine, known as MCV4 (brand name Menactra), protects against meningococcal bacteria, which can infect the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. MCV4 is recommended for kids at 11 or 12 years of age, and anyone between ages two and 55 who is at increased risk of infection (people with certain health conditions, military recruits). Teens starting college should be vaccinated with MCV4 before going to school if they didn't previously get the shot. (Freshman living in dorms are at increased risk of infection.) A little pain at the site of the shot is the most common side effect.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (brand names Gardasil, Cervarix) is given in three doses over a six-month period, and is approved for girls between ages nine and 26. While there are over a hundred types of HPV, this vaccine protects against two sexually transmitted types that are the most common causes of cervical cancer. Gardasil also protects against two types that cause genital warts and is approved for boys between nine and 26 as well. The vaccine works only if given before an infection, so doctors recommend it for kids well before they could become sexually active. Although most states don't require HPV vaccination, many are considering mandating it for preteen girls.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.