Frequently
Asked Questions by Respondents to the
National Immunization Survey
(NIS Adult)
What is the purpose of the survey?
Who uses this information?
How are telephone numbers selected?
Is there a letter that explains the purpose of the study?
What is the legal authorization for the study?
How is confidentiality of information assured?
What information is available about immunizations and about places that provide immunization shots?
What is
the purpose of this study?
This study is designed to help researchers better understand why some
adults choose not to get vaccinated for
preventable diseases. The data collected from households like yours will
help us to understand if certain groups of the population have lower
vaccination rates than others. Health care
agencies will use this data to ensure that resources are allocated
accordingly. Local, state and federal health care agencies will
use the information collected to improve
vaccination rates among adults (in your area).
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Who uses this
information?
The National Center for Health Statistics and the National Center for
Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (both
agencies are part of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention) will use the results of the study to improve the health
and well-being of adults. Through monitoring of
this information, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are able
to assess whether immunization goals are being reached. No personal
identifiers from survey participants will be
released or published.
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How are
telephone numbers selected?
Numbers are selected in one of two ways. A computer
scientifically selects some telephone
numbers and others were included as a result of recent participation in the
National Health
Interview Survey. Regardless of how a number is included, each is selected
to represent the community, and since one cannot
replace another, input is key to our success.
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Is there a
letter that explains the study?
Most households selected for the study receive a letter in advance that
explains the purpose of the study. This letter is
from Dr. Edward J. Sondik, Director of the National Center for
Health Statistics. Not all selected households receive a letter in advance,
however, because the study does not have the
mailing address for all telephone numbers selected for the
study. You may view the
letter or contact the study's telephone
survey researchers at 1-800-993-0495 to have a
letter sent to your home or to ask us questions about the survey.
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What is the
legal authorization for the study?
The study, which is conducted on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, is authorized by the
Public Health Service Act [Sections 306 & 2102(a)(7)]. You
may call our toll-free number 1-800-223-8118 to verify the legitimacy
of this survey and obtain more information. Please
mention protocol #2006-04.
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How
is confidentiality of information assured?
Confidentiality is mandated by law. Findings will be issued only in summary
form and U.S. law requires that the name of study
participants not be associated with any answers.
Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information is punishable by fines
ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 and could result in
imprisonment for up to 5 years. Also, a section of the
NCHS Staff Manual on Confidentiality
further explains the prohibitions against disclosure of
confidential information.
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What
information is available about immunizations and about places
that provide immunizations?
For more
information regarding vaccinations or the phone number of a doctor or clinic
near you, please call the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention Information Contact Center
at 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) and select option 1. For more information
about immunization, please visit the web site for
the
National
Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases.
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This page last reviewed
August 19, 2008
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