Sponsor

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), The National Immunization Program (NIP).

Mode of Administration

The NIS is a list-assisted random-digit-dialing telephone survey.

Survey Sample Design

In each of 78 Immunization Action Plan areas (which together make up the U.S.), the NIS draws independent quarterly samples of telephone numbers and then uses random-digit dialing (RDD) to identify households that have one or more children 19 to 35 months of age. The telephone interview continues by collecting vaccination information for each such child and requesting consent to contact the providers of the child's vaccinations. In a second phase, a mail survey, the NIS asks the providers to report vaccination information from the child's medical record, which is generally more accurate and complete than the household's information.

Primary Survey Content

Vaccination coverage rates for each of six recommended vaccines for the nation and for each of 78 Immunization Action Plan (IAP) areas, consisting of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 28 large urban areas.

Population Targeted

Children between the ages of 19 and 35 months living in the United States at the time of the interview.

Demographic Data

Gender, age, region.

Years Collected

Since 1994

Schedule

Quarterly.

Geographic Estimates

National, State, and local area levels.

Contact Information

Agency homepage: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs.

Data system homepage: http://www.cdc.gov/nis.

References

Zell ER, Ezzate-Rice TM, Battaglia MP, Wright RA. National Immunization Survey: The methodology of a vaccination surveillance system. Public Health Reports, 115(1), 65-77. 2000.